Ralph A. Hansen

Ralph A. Hansen, 77, was born in Virginia , Minnesota December 21, 1931 . He attended Milwaukee schools and graduated from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in 1961. He married Violette Backman in St. Stephens Lutheran Church on September 5, 1953 . His early work was as a machinist, then as a telegraph agent for the Milwaukee Road Railroad. He went on to work at the University of Chicago as assistant to the bursar and last for Amoco Oil as a credit manager. While with Amoco he worked in the Chicago , Raleigh , N.C and Des Moines , Iowa offices retiring to Hot Springs , Ark. and later to Cottonwood . He belonged to Central Arizona #14 Masonic Lodge, was associate Patron of Sedona Chapter #7, OES, Garland Court #21 and Canyon Court #18 Order of the Amaranth, Scimitar Shrine, Little Rock , Ark. and Mingus Mountain Shrine Club. He was a life member of NRA and enjoyed competition shooting in pistol and rifle. He was a member of Prescott Sports Men Club and AZ Rifle and Pistol Association. He and his wife always enjoyed travelling to various matches around the country. He was an Eagle Scout and taught marksmanship to several scout troops. He was an avid photographer, beginning in Jr. High and High School and always had his own dark room. His first movie camera was a vintage WWII aircraft camera that could record ground activity. He was a member of the Sedona Camera Club and Photographic Association of America. He was a member of Sons of Norway but loved going to various German clubs to keep up his language skills. Music was his love and he played violin in his younger days. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Violette; son Peter (Kim) Hansen of Virginia; daughter Kristen (Scott) McGrew of California; 2 grandsons Zachary and Ian McGrew; and several cousins. Services will be held at 2pm on Friday, March 20 at Westcott Funeral Home, Cottonwood . In lieu of flowers please send donations to Shriners Hospital for Children, c/o Mingus Mountain Shrine Club, P.O. Box 72 , Cottonwood , Arizona 86326 . An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com