Hansen remembered by hundreds at Boise service
Orval Hansen was remembered this afternoon by several hundred friends, family members and well-wishers at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Boise, in a service that closed with the stirring singing of his favorite song, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.” Hansen, a former three-term Idaho congressman, was an attorney and eastern Idaho native, a World War II veteran, a marathon runner and a mountain climber; he published his memoir, “Climb the Mountains,” in 2015. He is survived by his wife, June, seven children, 12 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Katherine Hansen, Orval’s daughter, recalled Hansen family reunions at the family’s cabin near Stanley, which always included a talent show. “He would usually recite Lincoln’s 2nd Inaugural Address or Winston Churchill’s ‘Finest Hour’ speech – all from memory,” she recalled. In family dinner conversations, she said, “He didn’t speak a lot, but when he spoke, it landed.”
The Hansens had a family tradition of gathering together on New Year’s Eve, which also was Orval and June’s anniversary. He would ask everyone to share what they were proud of from the past year, and what they wanted to accomplish in the next year. “Those conversations have so inspired, I think, the choices that many of us have made in our lives,” she said.
“Mom and Dad were each other’s biggest fan and biggest supporter,” Katherine Hansen said. “My mom had a 31-year career in Washington, D.C. as an actress. Every opening night, Dad was there.”
John K. Hansen, Orval’s son, said, “Dad selflessly served his country in countless ways,” from the U.S. Navy in World War II to the Air Force Reserves from 1947 to 1986; from the Idaho Legislature, 1956-1968, to Congress from 1969 to 1975.
After he lost his re-election bid in the Republican primary in 1974, John Hansen said, “He did not stop serving.” Founding the Columbia Institute for Political Research, Orval Hansen brought together leaders from all sides to examine issues at hundreds of policy and economic conferences in all 50 states over 25 years. “Dad himself spoke to thousands of American college and high school students, telling them to serve their country for the betterment of all,” his son said.
George Denison, a longtime friend, said, “He was the most ethical, principled man I ever knew.”
You can read more here about Hansen and his record. He died Nov. 2 at age 91, surrounded by his family at home in Boise.
