Virgil Hansen

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Virgil Hansen, 91, of Orient, passed away on Monday, November 16, 2020 at Faulkton Senior Living.  

Funeral Mass was held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 21, 2020, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Orient, with Father Christopher Hughes presiding. Burial followed in the church cemetery. A rosary was prayed at 9:30 a.m., Saturday morning.

Virgil was born in Orient to Halbert and Leah on January 26, 1929.  In 1944, at the age of 15, he was injured while hunting resulting in the loss of his right leg, but this would never stop him from following his dreams.  He graduated from Orient High School in 1947. Virgil then attended Northern State Teachers College to earn his bachelor’s degree. He married the love of his life, Mildred Theresa Weideman, on June 9, 1959 in Orient, SD where they made their lifetime home.

Mr. Hansen started teaching at Faulkton High School in 1958, after teaching four years at Orient High School.  He taught business education and was the advisor for the newspaper and annual.  He became the business manager in 1976 after serving as administrative assistant beginning in 1965.  All in total, he was in the teaching profession for 36 years.  Over the years he also worked as timekeeper, announcer, other official capacities at the FHS athletic events and member of the booster club. 

Virgil enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. In the summertime, he was able to participate in some of his favorite activities alongside his wife including: picnics, running the roller rink at the hall, camping (Good Sam’s Club), fishing, model plane building and mostly just spending time with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In the fall, Virgil loved to spend time hunting and it didn’t matter what the prey, as long as he was outside enjoying friends and nature. One thing for certain, you could always find him driving his four-wheeler while picking up cans or taking care of the ballfield.  He planned his daily schedule so he would end up at either the old café or Cenex Station at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm for a cup of coffee;  he would play a quick game of ship, captain, and crew dice while discussing the local news.   

His true passion was coaching baseball and watching/listening to the Minnesota Twins.  He began coaching the amateur baseball team in 1947 and then organized the rest of the baseball teams in 1950.  He loved being around the future generations, teaching them about baseball and the important things in life.  Over the years, the teams were very successful; in 1974 the Legion team won the State B Championship and then his Teeners baseball team won the State B Title in 1977 and were Consolation Champions in 1979.   After retiring from coaching, Virgil was proud to be the commissioner of the American Legion Baseball for several years.  Virgil was excited whenever spring would allow him an opportunity to ride his four-wheeler to the ballfield to watch and enjoy the youth baseball teams practicing or playing where he was their personal ball retriever.  One final fulfilled goal, which brought him great joy, was the placement of lights in the Orient ballfield.  If not coaching baseball or enjoying the local baseball teams, he was either listening or watching his favorite team, the Minnesota Twins. It was his joy to have the opportunity to go to a World Series game in 1987.

He is survived by his children: son, Richard (Angela) Hansen of Hot Springs, SD, daughter, Marlys Hansen of Waterloo, IA, son, William Hansen of Hurley, SD, and foster son, Tony (Kelly) DesLauriers, of Great Bend, KS; his grandchildren: Barry Hansen, Kristian (Josiah) Ellendorf, Christopher (Krista) Hansen, April Hansen, Jasmyn (Alex) Dysthe, Shane, Logan, Victoria, and Kayden Hansen, Ryan and Lexie DesLauriers; great grandchildren: Reise, Truett, Oaklynn, Shiloh, and Julian Ellendorf, Maverick and Myles Dysthe; sisters: Lavilla Levtzow, Phyllis Markegard, and Karen (Claude) Bent. 

Virgil is welcomed by a team of angels, including his wife, Mildred Hansen; parents: Halbert and Leah Hansen; brother, Robert James Hansen; grandson, Luke Densel Hansen; great-grandson, Ezekiel Richard Hansen; and brother-in-laws: Lyle Levtzow and Dale Markegard.   

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Virgil’s arrangements.