James "Jim" Ellwood Hansen

  James (Jim) Ellwood Hansen passed away peacefully in Anaheim Hills, California on November 10, 2024, next to his wife of 65 years.  He was born on August 24,1933 in Viborg, South Dakota to Joseph and Violet Hansen.  He graduated from Hurley High School, South Dakota and moved to Long Beach California in 1952 to continue his schooling.  

  Jim was called for the draft in 1953 and served in the US Army in Korea and Japan.  In 1955 he returned to Long Beach and met and married Margaret (Marge) Cheatle from Dearborn, Michigan.  He graduated from Long Beach State in 1960 with a bachelor's degree in finance.

  His first job was with Bank of America as assistant branch manager.  His business career followed in order:  First National Bank of Orange County/Assistant Vice President & Branch Manager; General Pacific Corp/Chief Financial Officer; Look Realty/Real Estate Broker; Corporate Bank/Vice President; Advantage Financial Advisory Group/Board Chairman; Corporate Bank/Board of Directors & re-appointed Vice President; CA United Bank/Vice President; Bank of Orange County/Business Consultant; Orange Community Bank/Vice President; Farmers Insurance Exchange and Fire Insurance/Board of Governors & Chairman; Farmers Financial Solutions/Board of Directors; then was self-employed part-time consultant for real estate & financial services including real estate loans, sales, property management & investments.  In 2002 Jim and Marge moved to The Trilogy Glen Ivy, Corona, California, and later moved back to Orange County in 2019. 

  Jim was involved with many organizations. He served as President at Orange Elderly Services, Orange Optimist Club, Kiwanis Club of Garden Grove (honorary member), Kiwanis Land, Inc, and Summer Hills Homeowners Assoc.  He was Chairman for Investment Advisory Committee, City of Orange.  He was on the Board of Directors for First Friday Friars, Orange Chamber of Commerce, Orange YMCA, Orange Housing Development Corp, and Merit Housing Corp, Orange.   He was a member of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, Corona, San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church, Anaheim Hills, American Legion Post 291, Newport Beach and Knights of Columbus.  

  Although Jim had a busy and commendable career, he always put his family first.  He always ended a family gathering asking, "When are we getting together next?'.  He planned many family events and trips across the United States.  He enjoyed traveling, snow skiing, water skiing, golfing, biking, cars, sailing, socializing, floating in his daughter's pool w/ a glass of wine & most of all family time.  He will be remembered by his deep love for his family & friends.

  Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Violet Hansen and his only brother and best friend Joseph Douglas.  He is survived by his wife Marge, and their three children, James Joseph, Anne-Marie and Eric John, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.  He will be remembered by his deep love for his family & friends. 

  Funeral services will be on December 19, 2024 @ 10:00am, San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church 5800 E Santa Ana Canyon Rd, Anaheim, CA 92807.  All who knew him are invited to join in honoring his remarkable life and the mark he left on everyone he met. There will be a lunch immediately following the service.