William Hanser
June 30, 1929 - January 07, 2015
Obituary
William Hanser passed away peacefully at the family farm in Broadview, Montana surrounded by his family Tuesday Jan 7, 2015. Bill was born at St. Vincent's Hospital in Billings on June 30, 1929, to William and Helen (Benesh) Hanser. Bill was a member of the first graduating class of St. Patrick High School in Billings, (now Billings Central). He received his Agricultural Engineering degree from Montana State University. and went on to serve in combat as an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean war. Following an honorable discharge from the military, Bill returned to the family farm and the life he loved of farming and ranching. He met the love of his life, Ellen (Moore) Hanser when she interviewed him about his views on hunting and agriculture for her television show "Mid-Day In Montana". They were married in 1966 and spent the next 48 years together raising their family and farming and ranching. Bill was tough, caring, and honorable. All were welcome at his table. No one left the farm without being well fed in body and spirit and touched by their time spent with him. Bill was active in the American Legion (former Post Commander), the National Guard, served on numerous boards including the Montana Grain Growers, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Bill was preceded in death by his brother Harold (Marieanne) Hanser. He is survived by Ellen (Moore) Hanser his wife of 48 years, his two remaining brothers and their families, Paul (Lois) Hanser and Ralph (Sharon) Hanser; his four children, Terry (Steve Wilcox) Hanser, Bill (Liz) Hanser, Susan Hanser and Donald (Kim) Hanser; grandchildren, Alex Wilcox, Cassandra Wilcox, Danette Wilcox, Catie Hanser, Maggie Hanser, Abbie Hanser, Ellie Hanser, Annie Hanser, Christian Hanser, Nathanial Hanser, Mady Hanser, Chloe Hanser, Gabriel Hanser, William Hanser, Xavier Hanser and Genevieve Hanser and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins. Bill also leaves behind an extensive assembly of wonderful friends and acquaintances. Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday at Dahl Chapel. Rosary will be recited at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Vigil at 6 p.m. Monday at the Dahl Chapel. Funeral Mass will be at noon on Tuesday at St. Patrick Co-Cathedral. His family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Mike Hagan for his care and to all of the good people at the Veterans Administration. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Billings Food Bank or to a charity of your choice.
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Memories
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Shawna Yates
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Share your favorite memory here, or leave a condolence for the family...
SY
Shawna Yates
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Sorry for your loss. Our prayers and condolences.
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Craig Brewington
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Bill played a big part in my life. My brother and I started picking rye for him when we were 11 and 12. Must have done well at 10 cents an hour because the "tip" was more than twice the wages. The next year he arranged things with my dad to teach me how to drive a tractor. I was ecstatic and the wages were WAY better. Spent several years working for Bill after that, lived with them during the summer time, learned how to work, how to be proud of what you have accomplished, learned how to work with other people. Even learned how to beat the Mosdal brothers at their own game of running tractors 24 hours a day....we beat them. Learned how to swear like a sailor when the bulls decided to rebel. Learned some facts of life pulling a calf....and how you need a shower afterwards. Those were great days for me. Made me a man. Bill used to say that he could always tell which kids would make it and which wouldn't. I payed attention to that and figured out which group I wanted to belong to. He told me not to worry about it...I was one who would make it. That confidence got me to the point where I spent 30 years as a school superintendent and Montana's Superintendent of the Year in 1999. To a large degree, it was the confidence in me that Bill and Ellen showed that got me there. I will be eternally grateful for the part they played in my life. I loved Bill dearly......but never told him that. My mistake. Craig Brewington
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Jason Dembosky
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Thinking of you and your family during this great loss. -Jason Dembosky
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Anne Garrett
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My husband and I were welcomed by Bill Hanser and his faithful partner, Ellen's, great genrosity and kindness of spirit at the time of their son Bill and our daughter, Liz' marriage. From that time on we were made to feel part of their family and were benefactors of their enormous amounts of good will, good food and hilarious gatherings at their home. Bill has left a legasy and will be sorely missed by many. My condolences to the family. Anne
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Jack Cassidy
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Ilived in the same motel with Bill in college at Bozeman. We became good friends through those years. The only time I ever saw him after that was when I was living in Helena and he was there in National Guard summer camp in 1955. That was shortly after he and I were out of the Army. He was always a happy guy. He drove a load of us to Seattle to an engineering meeting in 1951. We had a great time. It was the first time either of us had seen a television. Jack Cassidy