L.R. "Bud" Hansen

Leonard Ray “Bud” Hansen, Sr., son of the late Raymond and Laura (Jensen) Hansen, was born May 14, 1937, in Omaha, Nebraska, and departed this life August 20, 2022, in Lebanon, Missouri. He was 85 years, 3 months, and 6 days of age.

Bud loved to rodeo, and he worked as a horseshoer at the Ak-Sar-Ben Race Track in Omaha, Nebraska. He then became a deputy sheriff and detective where he was nicknamed “Ol’ Blue” for his work. Bud then moved to Iowa and worked as a buyer for Dubuque Meat Packing Company. He also worked several years for Leonard Conrad managing 5,000 acres of cattle while he settled down in Competition, Missouri. Bud then went to school for Bovine Artificial Insemination. He did this work for many years and enjoyed getting to know all of the local cattlemen in the surrounding area.

After he met and married Betty on September 15, 1994, they settled in Grovespring, Missouri, where he lived the rest of his life. Bud worked at Buffalo Livestock Barn for many years, and he really enjoyed being part of the “over the hill gang”. Bud loved horses and mules. He enjoyed harnessing them, pulling wagons and carriages, and trail riding. Bud knew everyone and everyone knew Bud, and he made many lasting relationships.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Hansen and Laura Jacobs, one son, Guy Hansen, and one brother-in-law, Lester Kush.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Hansen of their home in Grovespring, Missouri, two sons, Buzz Hansen and his wife, Kathi, of Grovespring, Missouri, and Joel Hansen of Citrus Heights, California, two daughters, Lori Lorenzen of Citrus Heights, California, and Jenney Cantwell and her husband, Chad, of Ponca City, Oklahoma, one step-son, Brent Barker and his wife, Theresa, of Clever, Missouri, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, two sisters, Delores Kush of Omaha, Nebraska, and Nancy Anderson and her husband, Andy, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, his dog, Rocky, and many extended family and friends who will miss him.