Edward Hansen

Edward Hansen, age 81, of Madison, passed away surrounded by his family at his home on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.

Funeral service will be at 2 PM on Monday, November 4th at St. John Lutheran Church, Madison with Rev. Karl Breddin officiating. Visitation will be 3-5 PM on Sunday at Rustand-Weiland Funeral Chapel with a prayer service at 5 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Luncheon will be immediately following the service. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date in Franklin Cemetery.

Edward Lance Hansen was born February 27, 1943 in Malden, Massachusetts to Clarence and Betty (Harris) Hansen. At the age of two, he moved to Newton, NH and attended elementary school there. He graduated from Sanborn High School in Kingston, New Hampshire in 1960. After school, he moved to Golden, CO and worked in Denver. In 1967, he moved to Madison and attended General Beadle College for 2 years. After college, he started a restaurant business which included Dino’s Café, Mr. Ed’s Café, Elks Club in Madison and Mr. Ed’s West in Howard and ran The Chateau in Yankton. While working at Mr. Ed’s, he met the love of his life Sharon Rook. After a 6-year courtship, they were married on August 23, 1975 and his family grew with the birth of a son, Paul. Later, Ed got into the insurance business with Tim Begeman for 27 years, along with a rental business and selling real estate.

Ed was a past President of the Brookings Life Underwriters, past President of ECCO (Valiant Living), leader & board member of SD Lutheran Secretariat (Via de Cristo) for 35 years and National Secretariat (Via de Cristo), past Treasurer of the Lake County Food Pantry and a board member for 33 years. He was also a member of St. John Lutheran Church, a past President of St. John (3 times) and a choir member for 40+ years.

Ed is survived by his wife, Sharon of Madison; one son, Paul (Rachel) of Elkton, SD; two granddaughters, Amelia & Emilie; brother, Mark (Bridget) Hansen of Madison, SD; sister, Esther Hansen of Chamberlain, SD; two brothers-in-law, Richard & James Rook both of Madison, SD and several nieces & nephews.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Walt Hansen.

In lieu of flowers, memorial can be directed to St. John Lutheran Church, Franklin Cemetery, Valiant Living or Lake County Food Pantry.