Helen Hansen

Helen Hansen of Corvallis died Friday, Nov. 25. She was 87. She was born to Albert Epley and Marie Johnston Epley at the family farm home in Nora, Neb. Her family moved to Camas, Wash., in 1935 as a result of the Midwest's long-lasting drought of the 1930s. Helen graduated from Camas High School, and there, while walking home from school, saw for the first time football, which was to become the sports passion of her life. She worked at the Camas Post-Record during and after high school. She married Gene Hansen on Dec. 18, 1945, in Camas, and worked at the Corvallis Gazette-Times while Gene attended Oregon State College. She was later the office manager for the Gene Hansen Life Insurance Agency for more than 40 years. She received many awards, including the 1979 Corvallis First Citizen and the 2002 Corvallis Senior First Citizen, and the 2010 Oregon State University Athletics' Martin Chaves Lifetime Achievement Award, and shared with her husband, Gene, The Oregonian 1991 Rollie Truitt Award for contributions to baseball. Helen became an Altrusan in December 1957, being a charter member of the Corvallis club, and she remained active in Altrusa International, serving in a variety of capacities, including as president of the Corvallis club and as the District 12 Governor, and on numerous local, district and international committees. She was responsible for bringing in dozens of members in Corvallis, and starting many clubs in Oregon. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and First United Methodist Church for more than 60 years. In 2001, Taylor Field at Corvallis High School was renamed Hansen Stadium at Taylor Field to honor Helen and Gene. Helen loved OSU sports, and had season tickets for football (five), women's and men's basketball, baseball and gymnastics. Survivors include her sons, Bob of Lyle, Wash., Eric of Washougal, Wash., and Gary of Portland; daughter, Karen Oldfield of Beaverton; son-in-law, Dick Oldfield; her brother, Russell of Vancouver, Wash.; six grandchildren; and one great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene; one sister; and one brother. Public visitation is set for 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, and 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at McHenry Funeral Home in Corvallis. A private family graveside service will take place Saturday at Oak Lawn Memorial Park. A public memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, on the Club Level of Reser Stadium. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the Beaver Athletic Scholarship Fund, Corvallis American Legion Baseball, or the Corvallis Altrusa Club in care of McHenry Funeral Home, 206 N.W. Fifth St., Corvallis, OR 97330.

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Helen Hansen

December 6, 1923 - November 25, 2011