Cullen Hansen

Cullen Norman Hansen, 86, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Friday, March 7, 2008, at the Broen Memorial Home. He was born on March 7, 1922, in Fargo, North Dakota, the son of Carl & Gina (Norman) Hansen. He attended grade school in Bismarck and in 1936, he moved with his family to Underwood where he was confirmed at Sverdrup Lutheran Church and graduated from Underwood High School in 1940. After high school, he joined the Coast Guard and attended National Youth School and then he went to radio school for the Merchant Marines. He made several trips to the Caribbean as a ship's radio operator during World War II. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific until 1945. Cullen moved to Los Angeles, CA after the war and drove truck for a year and then returned to Underwood. He was employed by Fergus Electric for several years and then worked for Standard Oil Pipeline as a maintenance electrician, traveling throughout North Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota. He remained with the pipeline for 30 years until his retirement. On November 15, 1995, he married Ardis Nelson, who was his longtime schoolmate from Underwood. They resided in the Fergus Falls area. He was a former member of Zion Lutheran Church, and a current member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls. He was a life member of the Fergus Falls American Legion and a previous member of the Electrician's I.B.E.W. Union. Cullen enjoyed fishing, hunting and traveling. Preceding him in death were his parents and a sister, Harriet Hansen. Survivors include his wife, Ardis; stepchildren, Reverend Ron Nelson from Iowa, and Cheryl Hammers from Alaska, four nieces, one nephew and a host of friends. Visitation: 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday at the Light and Life Auditorium at the Broen Memorial Home with a public prayer service at 3:45 p.m. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 11 a.m. Friday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls Clergy:     Rev. Paul Nelson Interment:Tordenskjold Cemetery, Rural Underwood Military Participation:     American Legion #30 and V.F.W. Post 612 Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com