The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Norman James Hansen passed away on March 6, 2024, at Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, WA, after suffering a hematoma of the brain. He was with his son Eugene at the time of his death.

Norman grew up in Waitsburg, WA, as the eldest of six children of James ("Jim") and Mary Geraine Hansen. He worked on the family farm from a young age, graduated from Waitsburg High School in 1966, and then graduated from Washington State University in 1971. Norman loved playing sports, especially basketball. He once grabbed 35 rebounds and scored 21 points in a game against Prescott. But he loved wheat farming, working with his hands, and tinkering on machinery even more. For example, Norman mastered the art of combine and tractor overhaul and repair, became a master welder, and enjoyed taking on challenging projects, including inventing improvements to his no-till drill (with his good friend Ross Underwood) and designing and constructing basketball hoops that could raise and lower. Norman farmed wheat with his father, Jim, for decades before operating his own custom-harvesting business. He also started a custom seeding business.

Norman is survived by his three sons, Eugene Hansen (Mollee), Christopher Hansen (Kayo), and Gregory Hansen (Laura), as well as five grandchildren: Cecily, Victoria, Henry, Nikka, and Yoki Hansen. Also surviving Norman is his mother, Geraine, and five siblings: Karen Yager, John Hansen, Jeanette Hansen, Mary Hansen (Creston Rogerson), and Cheryl Hansen.

A burial service will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 2:00 PM, at the Waitsburg City Cemetery, followed by a reception at the Royal Block, 222 Main Street, Waitsburg, WA.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, Wash. 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at http://www.herringgroseclose.com.