Carl R. Hansen, 87, died peacefully at the Valley View Home, Glasgow, Mont., on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. Funeral services with military honor guard were held Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, at the First Lutheran Church, Glasgow.

The youngest of 10 children, Carl was born on June 28, 1922, near Holt, Minn., to Edward and Julia [Hoff] Hansen. When Carl was 4, his father, at the age of 64, moved the family to Inverness, Mont., where the family engaged in farming.

Carl attended the University of Montana for one year. Knowing he would be drafted, he worked the next fall. In October 1942, while on his way to attend homecoming at Missoula, Carl met Gladys Pearson of Richland, Mont., on a train.

Carl entered the Army in December 1942, and was part of the 84th Infantry "Railsplitters." He was a communications sergeant and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Purple Heart and three Bronze Stars. During WWII, Carl and four of his brothers served overseas at the same time. Gladys also served stateside in the Army Nurse Corps.

Carl and Gladys married in Opheim, Mont., on Aug. 15, 1946. Glasgow has been their home for 63 years. Carl was well known to Valley County residents through his longtime work in retail starting at Gordon’s Foods, managing the Farmers’ Union Co-op grocery in Nashua and many years at Markle’s Hardware.

In the 1970s, Carl and Gladys began making magnetic and Styrofoam signs.

In the 1950s, Carl was an active participant in the local SPEBSQSA barbershop quartet and men’s chorus.

He belonged to the Lions Club, and volunteered around the community after retiring. Carl directed and sang in the First Lutheran Church choir for many years.

A skilled artist, Carl entertained his children and grandchildren with many drawings.

Carl had an amazing memory for old-time ditties, jingles, and poems. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, pinochle, maps, and going to coffee with “the guys.”

Carl and Gladys took up square dancing in the 1960s and danced for many years. Carl taught many boys and girls to square dance for an exhibition at the 1966 convention in Glasgow.

After retiring Carl and Gladys took many trips. On one tour to Europe, he was able to take a side trip to Schlocken Hill, a battle site where he fought in WWII and was honored by the government of The Netherlands for his service in WWII.

Carl is survived by Gladys; one son Mike Hansen (Bonnie), Havre; three daughters, Fay Hansen, Lake Orion, Mich.; Gina Williamson (Jim), Larkspur, Colo., and Phyllis Owan (Bill), Williston; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law and several nieces and nephews.