Dwight Conroy Hansen

Dwight Conroy Hansen, 88, died March 18, 2013. His loving wife of 70 years was holding his hand and singing praises to our Lord as he died. He had suffered for several years with chronic illness.

Pastor Tom Hoffman will officiate at a memorial service at 2 p.m., March 23 at Fairview Loop Baptist Church, 3118 W. Fairview Loop, Wasilla.

Dwight was born on Dyke, Colo., on June 15, 1924, to Theodore and Edith Hansen. He and his wife, Carley, met in high school and were married within the year following his graduation from Bayfield High School in Bayfield, Colo. An article about their 70 years together, headlined “Dairy Darlings,” was published in the Frontiersman on March 8, 2013.

In 1949, he, Carley and their two children, Glenna and Gary, left for Alaska, finally arriving in Skagway in April 1950. An experienced carpenter, he began his Alaska career with White Pass and Yukon Railroad on the bridge and buildings construction crew. In 1953, he went to work at the Skagway Terminal of the Canol Pipeline. When the U.S. Army opened an 8-inch pipeline from Haines to Fairbanks, the family moved to Tok. No high school in Tok for Glenna and Gary prompted a move to Fairbanks. It was there that Dwight and Carley began to take in foster children and them become a licensed receiving home for the state of Alaska. Lorraine was added to the family in 1967.

In 1979, Dwight retired from the USARAL Pipeline and moved back to Tok to a small recreational cabin they had previously purchased. “The Cabin” at Mile 109.4, Tok Cutoff was modified, added to and improved upon until it became a pleasant home for him and Carley, as well as a refreshing getaway for many family members, friends of children and grandchildren, church family and other community friends. Health issues prompted a move to Wasilla, where he and Carley involved themselves in the lives of their neighbors and church family.

Dwight loved to work with wood in all capacities and he had a phenomenal green thumb. He could make anything grow. He also had excellent skills in plumbing, engineering and auto mechanics. His kids always said that he could fix anything.

He was always willing to help anyone in need and was known as a quiet, kind and gentle man full of integrity and fairness by everyone who knew him. He will be greatly missed.

Preceding him in death were his parents; two brothers, Dennis and Doyle; and a son-in-law, Philip DuFresne.

He is survived by his wife, Carley; daughter, Glenna; son Gary (Nancy); daughter, Lorraine (Brian); grandsons Tim DuFrense (Missy), Brian DuFrense (Heidi), Ryan Hansen (Christine), Chad Hansen (Richelle), Billie Ray Pfeifer and Brent Ladd; great-grandchildren, Alex (Doug), Kathryn, Hope, Baker, Amelia, Abby and Gabe; and countless extended family and friends.

Valley Funeral Home cared for the arrangements.