James Hansen
October 03, 1948 - June 22, 2025
Obituary
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James L. Hansen, age 76, passed away on Sunday, June 22, 2025. He was born on October 3, 1948, the eldest son of Leonard and Theresia (St.Louis) Hansen of Turtle Lake, Wisconsin.
He acquired his BA from Marquette University in 1970 and his MLS from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1974. That fall he was hired as Reference Librarian by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. Jim spent a wonderful 40 years answering questions, giving lectures (all around the country), writing genealogical articles and editing for several major genealogical journals. In 1995, Jim was named a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists, an organization limited to 50 members. He retired from the Wisconsin Historical Society in 2014.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jane (Johnson) Hansen and 2 sons, Ron and Dave of Madison; daughter-in-law, Ginger (Field) Hansen; and granddaughter, Daphne Hansen. He is further survived by his brothers, Tom (Nancy) Hansen & Ray (Cathy) Hansen of Turtle Lake & Steven Hansen of Duluth; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and youngest brother, Martin Hansen.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Ryan Funeral Home, 2418 N. Sherman Avenue, Madison. A visitation will be held from 5:00PM until 7:00PM on Friday, July 11, 2025 at the funeral home and again on Saturday from 10:00AM until time of service.
The family would like to thank Rebecca and Danielle from Agrace and Lakeisha and other staff from Cornerstone Caregivers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Jim’s name to Agrace Hospice, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI, or at agrace.org/donate, or to Wisconsin State Historical Society, attn: Joe Kollar, PO Box 260050, Madison, WI, 53726. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com
Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
2418 N. Sherman Avenue
608-249-8257
Events
Visitation
Fri Jul 11, 2025 @ 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM CDT
Ryan Funeral Home • 2418 N. Sherman Avenue, Madison, WI 53704, Madison, WI 53704
Visitation
Sat Jul 12, 2025 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Ryan Funeral Home • 2418 N. Sherman Avenue, Madison, WI 53704, Madison, WI 53704
Celebration of Life
Sat Jul 12, 2025 @ 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM CDT
Ryan Funeral Home • 2418 N. Sherman Avenue, Madison, WI 53704, Madison, WI 53704
Photos
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Memories
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Susie Hillison
Friend •
In past years I often frequesnted the WSHS Library in Madison while working on my own genealogy and assisting others. Jim was often so helpful. It was always such a joy to see his larger than life smile as he greeted myself and others there at his desk. I can still see him there in my ever so fond memories of Jim. It's hard to imagine him no longer here with us all but our memories will live on with us. My deepest sympathies to his family, friends, co-workers, neighbors; he connected with so many of us, may he rest in peace-God Bless, with heart felt Hugs.life smile
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Susan Dorst
Coworker •
Nancy Mulhern and I both grew up in Southern Minnesota. We found Jim and we used to watch the same children's program, Axel's Treehouse, on WCCO. It was fun to reminisce about the show. Jim was responsible for helping to build one of the finest genealogical collections in this country. Researchers certainly appreciated all the help he gave them. Jim was truly a great guy.V
DM
Don Miller
Friend •
During our high school days, Jim was known as "the Cheetah". Jim did not have the lightning-quick speed of a cheetah-far from it! When someone called Jim "Cheetah", a wry smile came across his face. He saw the humor in it and wasn't particularly offended!? Jim was more of a long-distance runner. Nowadays, lots of people do a long daily run for physical exercise. Back in the late 1960's, Jim was ahead of his time on that. In fact, Jim was ahead of his time in a lot of ways which helped him have a successful life and career. Jim believed that a knowledge of history could make the world a better place in the future. That's why people who knew Jim well had an easy time coming to appreciate him and love him. We luv ya, Jim and Jane!
PC
Peter Cannon
Friend •
A consummate professional and a very nice guy! Rest in Peace.
JD
James Danky
Coworker •
Great sympathies to Jane and her sons. In addition to sharing a birthday with Jim, just a year earlier, we worked together for over 35 years. Jim had a devotion to Wisconsin history, especially it's newspapers, that benefited all of his colleagues and the public he served for so long. No one read more issues of Wisconsin's newspapers in my experience. Plus Jim was a warm and engaging personality that was also durable as it needed to be given the continuous flood of researchers from professors to beginning genealogists. But I would be remiss if I didn't include a humorous anecdote. Some people would know that I have a very loud sneeze, dangerously loud. So despite working several offices down the corridor, Jim could hear the sneeze. After one big blow my phone rang and Jim's voice said "Gesundheit". Rest in Peace, Jim.