Earl Harold Hansen, 95, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2017, at his residence in Sandpoint, Idaho. Earl served his country in the military and was a World War II and Korean War veteran.

Earl is survived by his loving wife of nearly 36 years, Doris Hansen; his children, Sandra Hansen, Scott Hansen, and Teresa Chevalier; his step-children, Jonathan Eberle, Tim Eberle, Krista Eberle and Ben Eberle; his grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Frances (Kallaus) Hansen; and his son, Roger Hansen.

Earl was born in Swan Lake, S.D., on Aug. 25 ,1921. His parents, Claudine and Peter immigrated from Denmark, bought some land on Swan Lake and built it into a resort.

Earl had fond memories of growing up in this area, and would speak of his love of it often. He graduated from Viborg High School, a few miles away from Swan Lake in 1939 and graduated from Iowa State College (now Iowa State University) with a forestry degree in 1943. While at Iowa State, Earl met and later married his first wife Frances Kallaus.

Earl worked for the U.S. Forest Service and traveled and lived in different states throughout his career. Most of his early years were in Minnesota where he served as forest ranger for the Superior and Chippewa national forests. He retired from the U.S. Forest Service in 1977 after 33 years and moved to Springfield, Mo. Several years later, his first wife Frances passed away.

Earl and Doris met in Springfield and, in 1981, they married and moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where they built a wonderful life together. Earl and Doris made a great team, they went hunting and fishing together, and enjoyed their life in Idaho.

Earl loved the outdoors; he loved to fish and hunt. He loved anything that had to do with nature. Earl was bigger than life, and will be missed greatly. We will all miss his wonderful smile and his colorful personality.

Earl requested that no service occur.