David Larry Hansen was born September 27, 1947 in Weiser, Idaho to Ed and Verena Hansen. David was their only son, but he had an older sister and two younger sisters. He grew up in Weiser. He attended school at the Sunnyside School, Park School, Weiser Junior High, and attended high school in what is now the Snake River Institute. David spent a lot of time working on the family dairy farm and roaming the hills on his motorbike with his best friends, Brad, Neil, and Dale.
After David graduated from high school in 1965, he attended Ricks College and met his future wife, Lou Hunter, at a school dance. He enjoyed a variety of classes, including social dance and weight lifting, but didn’t have an opportunity to complete a degree. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey. When he returned home, he proposed to Lou Hunter and they were married on December 10, 1968 in the Idaho Falls Temple. David and Lou returned to the family dairy farm in Weiser to work with his father. He loved working with cows and the diary grew to over 100 head, but eventually he decided to focus on crop production to have more time with his growing family. Later, David transitioned his farm into the USDA Organic program to provide feed for organic dairies in Oregon and Washington.
Together, David and Lou, raised a family of 8 children in Weiser. He taught his children to work hard and love the land. He was famous for reminding them, “Sprinklers don’t change themselves.” The family worked together, played games together, and prayed together. David showed his love for God and neighbor in everything he did. He was quick to lend a helping hand, make others laugh, and have fun. For several years, he served in an ecclesiastical capacity at the Snake River Correctional Institution and found great joy ministering to the men he met there. David and Lou served missions for The Church of Jesus Christ in Paragould, Arkansas and in Riggins, Idaho. They had many wonderful experiences and loved the people they served along the way.
David was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer one day before his 54th wedding anniversary. He passed away quietly at home, surrounded by his wife and children, on February 17, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Lou; children: Mark, Jill (Dan), Nels (Christina), Sara (Shawn), Scot (Angela), Doug (Celeste), Annie (Kurtis), and Evan (Christi); 36 grandchildren; sisters: Joyce, Joan, and Sharon; and many dear friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 300 E Main, Weiser, Idaho (LDS Chapel). Viewing at 10. Funeral at 11.
