John Duane Hansen

John Duane Hansen passed away peacefully on April 26, 2017 surrounded by family. John was born February 20th 1927 in Twin Falls Idaho to Leland Aurelian and Bertha Mae Thurgood Hansen. He was the second of six sons and one daughter. He was raised on a dairy farm. The family also produced sugar beets, hay, potatoes, and grain. He started milking cows at the age of 4 and started driving tractor at the age of 9.

Following graduation from Twin Falls High School he joined the Navy and was assigned to the Sea Bees. He served in China, the Philippines, and Guam, often running heavy equipment. After the war, he returned home and after a few months was called to serve a mission for the LDS church to Denmark. He served for 3 years and felt that it was one of the greatest experiences of his life.

When he returned home to Twin Falls, he began to farm on the Salmon Tract south of Twin. In 1951 he met Lea Patricia Romney and they were married- on his birthday- February 20th 1952 in the Logan LDS Temple. The couple was blessed with three sons: Richard, Gary, and Doug.

In 1959 the family moved to Rupert where he purchased a farm on the North Side Homestead Project. He farmed on the north side for the next 50 years with his sons. John D. was involved in numerous business ventures including John Deere, Mart Produce, and HAPY Grain. He worked diligently to further farm production and enrich the potato industry. He served on the Idaho/Eastern Oregon Potato Committee, on the state board for the Potato Growers of Idaho, and as president of the Minidoka County National Farmers Organization. In 1981 he was elected to the National Potato Board. In 1996 John was inducted to the Idaho Potato Hall of Fame. In 2004 he was presented Russet Aristocrat Award for his many contributions to the Idaho potato industry.

John was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in the bishopric, as Bishop, and on the Stake High Council. He and his wife Patty served in the Logan and Twin Falls Temples.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Gordon Hansen, Vernon Hansen, and William Hansen, and his sister Veon Hansen Horman, as well as his granddaughter Laurie Anne Hansen. He is survived by his wife Patricia, his brothers Leland Hansen and James Hansen, his sons Richard (Jody) Hansen, Gary (Colleen) Hansen, and Doug (Annette) Hansen, 19 grandchildren, and 34 great-grandchildren. He was an outstanding man, farmer, businessman, husband, father, and grandfather, and he will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 8, 2017 at the Rupert West Stake Center. Viewing for family and friends will be held from 6-8:00 p.m. Sunday, May 7, 2017 at the mortuary and for one hour prior to the services at the church. Services will conclude with burial in the Rupert Cemetery under the direction of Hansen Mortuary 710 6th St Rupert, Idaho. On line condolences may be shared at hansen-mortuary.com

The family wishes to thank Dr. Brian Muir and Minidoka Home Health and Hospice for their kind and competent care.

Funeral Service Date of Service: May 8, 2017