

James Hansen
October 03, 1948 - June 22, 2025
Share memories of James
SH
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.