Gary Donald Hansen, Oakesdale native and longtime Spokane resident passed away April 12, 2018 following a brief illness.  He was 71.  A service to celebrate and honor his life will be held Saturday, April 21st at 1:30 pm at Southside Christian Church in Spokane with Pastor Galen Doughty officiating.   A reception will follow.  Gary was born February 15, 1947 in Spokane to Donald and June Blank Hansen.  He grew up on the family farm in the Tekoa-Farmington area where he developed his strong love for the land and the Palouse country farming way of life.  He attended school in Oakesdale and excelled in sports. He loved the competitive spirit that came with playing football, baseball and basketball. He graduated from Oakesdale High School in 1965 and went on to Wenatchee Valley College to play baseball.  While in college, Gary discovered the game of golf and carried a passion for the sport the rest of his life.  He moved back to this area to marry the love of his life, Louise Hoenike, on September 16, 1966.   After attending a year of college at Eastern Washington University, Gary and Louise moved back to the family farm to start their family and Gary worked for Linke Implement while helping his father farm.  He soon joined the staff of Calkins Manufacturing as a welder working on farm equipment and boat trailers eventually being promoted into sales. Gary soon became one of the company's top sales people.  His ability to strike up a conversation with anyone contributed to his success.  He always made it a priority to know his products inside and out and his farming experience gave him the ability to fix his product right in the field if needed.  After leaving Calkins, Gary became a sales representative for several other agriculture-related equipment companies and worked in that capacity for many years, never really retiring from the job he loved.  Gary did find time to play golf and he did so nearly every Saturday morning, playing with friends at Hangman Valley Golf Course.  He cherished time spent with his grandchildren and family and was proud of them all.  His great sense of humor and dedication to those he loved will be missed most especially by his wife of 51 years, Louise, at their home; his son Kirk and wife Ronda Hansen Spokane and his daughter, Shannon Hansen, Spokane.  He is survived by the pride and joy of his life, three grandchildren, Kyla, Ryan and Takari;  by his two sisters, Wendy Ohme and Sheri (Cory) Schell as well as his brother-in-law, Elmer Hoenike, sister-in-law, Diane Stiles, and a large extended family.   He was preceded in death by his parents.  The family suggest memorial gifts be made to Southside Christian Church Youth and Children's Ministries or Oakesdale Presbyterian Church.