Grundy County Board member Don Hansen dies

MORRIS – Grundy County Board member and Vice Chairman Don Hansen died Monday morning at his home after a long battle with cancer. He was 60.

Hansen had served as a board member in District 1 since 2016. In addition to being voted board vice chairman in 2018, he served as chairman of the Highway/Animal Control/Transit Committee, was vice chairman of the Personnel/Insurance/Education/VAC Committee and was a member of the Finance/Insurance Trust Committee.

Born Nov. 9, 1959, in Morris, Hansen was a son of Donald R. (Wanda) Hansen. He graduated from Morris Community High School with the Class of 1977. He married Linda Thorson on April 21, 1979, in Morris, and they lived all of their married life in Morris. For 30 years, he was employed at Caterpillar Tractor Company. After he retired, he helped run the family business at Honest Abe’s Tap and Grill. He was a 1st Ward alderman for several years.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; his children, Kady (James) Patterson of Morris, Aren (Jessica) Hansen of Morris, Tara (Joshua) Fullmer of Warrenville and Jacob Hansen of Glenview; four grandchildren, Kyle and James Patterson, James Donald (J.D.) and Emmett Fullmer; his mother, Wanda Hansen of Morris; one brother, James Hansen of Morris; four sisters, Brenda (Mike ) Hextell of Georgia, Dana (Gary) Peterson of Springfield, Karen (Wayne) Kenney of Morris and Kristen (Terry) Torkelson of Morris; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death was his father, Donald.

Don’s children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. He loved to golf and travel. He coached his children’s youth teams and was an IHSA soccer referee.

Memorials may be directed to Joliet Community Hospice or Lurie Cancer Center.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church with Pastor Patrick Lohse officiating. Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday. The private service will be immediately after at the church.

Fruland Funeral Home, 121 W. Jefferson St. in Morris, is in charge of arrangements. For more information, call the funeral home at 815-942-0700 or sign the online guest book at www.frulandfuneralhome.com.

"Don was always on focus and extremely pleasant to deal with," Grundy County Chairman Chris Balkema said. "He was very dedicated to Grundy County and interested in what was best for the county.

"He was very concerned with the long-term future of Grundy County. He wasn't concerned with politics, just what was best for the people of the county. His involvement on the board in general and his leadership in the committees shows how dedicated he was."