Obituary of Larry Warren Hansen

On February 5, 2023, Larry Warren Hansen of Mint Hill, NC succumbed to cancer after his second battle in a decade. Larry envisioned himself as a cowboy and fought mightily for every extra second to be with his best cowgirl, Nancy Virginia Lee Hansen. He did not go easily into that good night - just ask Hospice. He took his love and devotion to Ginny through his last breath - just ask family, friends or caregivers. He was her rock; she was his everything.

Larry was born the eldest son of the late Robert Frank Hansen and Evelyn Antoinette Smith Hansen in Chicago, IL. He remained a lifetime Cubs fan but would always choose a lobster bisque over a deep dish.

He is survived by his adoring wife, Ginny (née Lee) of 41 years and siblings, Carl and Sylvia Hansen from Flushing, MI; Robyn and Don Gans from Weyauwega, WI; Mark and Tina Hansen of Charlotte; and Ruth Hansen and life partner Erik Murphy of Charlotte. His memory lives on with his nieces and nephews; Bjorn, Kyle, and Anne Hansen; Megan Putnam and Charlie Chaltron; Mike Gans; Kaelin and Evan Hansen; Nicole Ierardi and Laura Duncan, and greats too: Tim and Liana Hansen; Sam and CJ Chaltron; Seth, Chloe and Maddy Hansen and Lucas and Max Ierardi.

A little known fact is that Larry loved radio - even more than his ‘61 Thunderbird. His dream was to have his own radio station. He got his chops in Iowa college radio and landed in North Carolina when his roommate hired him to run his radio station, a graduation present. He moved on to the news at Big Ways Radio and freelancing for the Charlotte Observer where a colleague set him up on a blind date with his future wife, a scholar at Queens College. She may have stayed up listening to his booming voice on the radio instead of studying but his pursuit of her lasted six years. (Ladies, take note.)

Ginny and Larry committed to a thriving church life from their early dating days. Larry enjoyed committee chairman leadership roles and liturgy readings. He could not sing a note but the choir welcomed him to read the cantatas at Easter and Christmas. They threw great parties and opened their home to everyone. During the last seven months, a week did not go by without calls and visits from church members past and present.

Larry’s career took him to Charlotte Memorial Hospital, entrepreneurship with his father and a very fulfilling 20-year career at Family Dollar in IT. Larry had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. A self-taught programmer, he created a career for himself when the field was in its infancy. He later terrified Ginny with his woodworking avocation and demanded his camera to photograph flowers when at Levine Hospice House.

When it came to the news, he was bleeding edge. Larry was passionately political, never judged and maintained friendships no matter the topic. He wielded respect for all other’s opinions and autonomy of thought. He never said a bad word against anyone and held himself to a standard of conduct based on respecting himself and others.

Larry’s first leadership position was in the family. His siblings ranged in age by 20 years. They remember Saturday morning cartoons when he first became enamored with the Tasmanian Devil. Over his lifetime he passionately collected animation art of his favorite Looney Tunes. He was a quiet big brother who transformed into a bigger than life radio personality behind the mic. His love language was communicated by his remarkable sense of humor, great timing, finely honed, wry wit and endless email jokes. He held up the younger generation. He cared deeply for his nieces and nephews and shared love with them by listening with earnest respect and encouraging their dreams, especially if they had to do with running for political office. In the last seven months of his life, in cowboy fashion, the Hansen family surrounded Larry and Ginny with dogged love and support.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Blair Road United Methodist Church at 11am on February 18, 2023. Visitation will be held after services. Interment will follow at a later date in Georgia.

Memorial Donations may be made to Blair Road United Methodist Church, WFAE RADIO and Hospice and Palliative Care of the Charlotte Region

Online condolences may be made via the Tribute Wall provided.

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