Clair P. Hansen

Clair Hansen passed away peacefully on June 19, 2024, at home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. He was born March 24, 1938, to Louie and Jane Hansen at Hunter, ND. He was baptized and confirmed and the youngest of 5 children.

Clair attended school in Hunter and graduated from Hunter High School in 1956. He participated in all sports and was inducted into the Hunter Hornets boys’ basketball team Hall of Fame which was presented to him by Northern Cass Hall of Fame in 2018.

After graduating he joined the US Navy Air Force (1956). Homebase was in New Brunswick, ME. He completed courses at aircraft school in Norman, OK and aircraft hydraulics school in Memphis, TN. He was then stationed in Morocco, North Africa for 3 years on a transport plane as the hydraulics specialist and maintenance. They flew around to several countries, some of which were Turkey, Norway, Spain, Italy, and others. He received the good conduct medal and was honorably discharged in 1960 as Petty Officer EJ.

After he arrived home and met Clarice Skretting and in 1961, they were married. They had two daughters, Lori and Lisa. He was a very loving husband and father who cherished his kids. Vacations were spent traveling around to several states, camping and visiting along the way, and enjoying the countryside.

In 1961, Clair began his career with Tallman Oil Co. and was service station manager for six years and team supervisor for ten stations for several years. The company was then sold to Phillip’s Petroleum and later to Dons FM Oil Co. in 1979. He was vice president and general manager for several people and on the board of directors for Northwest Petroleum Association for three years. He retired after 31 years in 1992.

Clair was a member of Southgate Exchange Club, serving as president in 1988. He was a longtime member at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church and served on the stewardship board, ushered, etc. He was also district director for United Sportsmen of North Dakota, a member of Pheasants Forever, Moorhead Rod and Gun Club, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, and was a longtime member of the American Legion.

Fishing was a favorite pastime and for several years Clair and Clarice fished the Salmon Tournament on Lake Sakakawea in August, even taking 2nd place one year. He also fished in the tournament in South Dakota at Waubay and several lakes in the area. Clair made many friends during this time and was ready to help anyone with whatever was needed. Then fall would come along meaning hunting season! He had many hunting dogs throughout the years so it was time to put one to work bird hunting. He was quite successful and proud of the big bucks he got. He also did some taxidermy work for himself, loaded his own shotgun shells and did some trapping.

Clair liked to stay busy and after his retirement, he worked at various jobs: American Crystal during beet harvest (1993 & 1995), Guttormson Farms assisting with beets, grain, and general farm work (1994-1995), Moorhead Scheels motor shop as manager (1996-1999), and his last employment years were spent at Fargo Mac’s hardware store for 5 years, then officially retiring.

Clair is survived by his wife of 63 years, Clarice; daughters, Lori C. (Mark) and Lisa H.; one grandson, Chad (Andrea) and one great grandson, Conner; nieces, Gayle (Burnell), Linda (Otto), Vicki, Shelly (Daryl); nephews, Jim (Lynn), Roger (Charlotte), Jeff, Bruce, Scott, and Micah and all of their families. He was always Uncle Pete to them. He will also be missed by his golden retriever, Trooper.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Ray (Ivy), Lawrence (Pearl), Russell (Jessie Mae); sister, Ardith (Elmer Wilhelm); niece, Jan; nephews, Jerry, Steve Berg, Todd Skretting; great nephew, Barrett; sister in law, Joyce Ingberg; and brother in law, Jerry Skretting.

Many thanks to all the wonderful caregivers at Essentia Hospital and Hospice of the Red River Valley.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Pontoppidan Lutheran Church Radio Fund, Hospice of the Red River Valley, Fargo Homeward Animal Shelter, or a charity of your choosing.