Otto (Slim) Hansen
( 1900 - 1980 )
Slim lived on his
father's farm
all of his life. He and his other brothers, Ted,
Martin and Ham maintained
the homestead, built it up till their deaths.
One of the brothers would
always stay on the property no matter what was
happening, funerals, weddings and
holidays. They were very protective of their
holdings as thievery was an
issue they did not want to handle.
Slim and his brother Ted were like "Mutt and Jeff." Always together going
to
parties or family gatherings. They were tough, Norwegian bachelors with
the
free flow of
cocktails and smokes. They had a hearty laugh and enjoyed
life.
Though, they did miss the idea of having a family I suspect.
I, John remember
them coming to our home (Melvin Eschenbaum's) on occasion
for holiday dinners. Sometimes they would go overboard on the drinking and
become more boisterous then my father liked. He once kindly asked them to
leave giving bad impression to the children. But, they were always
welcomed back. Dad said that one time they
were really feeling bad
as they felt as if no one wanted them around. They felt as
if they had no
where to go and was so grateful that Dad would give them invites.
Dad told
them that we all had families that gave our attention. Their choice
( or perhaps not) was to remain single and live on the farm. So, they had
to
accept what that all gave to them.
[ Photo ID's from 'cocktails and smokes' ] Harry Paulson, Halbert,
Jack,
Joe Paulson & Joe Staufer
Slim was the last of
the brothers who lived on the farm. He had intestinal cancer
lived about a year after diagnosis. My grandmother Ida and I visited him
and
that is when she asked him for their
father's tool chest. Slim readily got
up and
went upstairs. We heard a rattle of objects falling on the floor and down
Slim
came with the trunk. Having gone through many family photographs, seeing
Slim
and his brothers at a youthful, healthy, vigorous and handsome time, I wondered
what kind of friends they were. No doubt full of you know what and
vinegar, but
also hard working due to the presence of Christ. I was told that the Slim
had not
money in his pocket even up to the age of 35. He had to ask his father
because he
held the money, for everybody. During Christ's elder years he was becoming
more "senile." So, secretly, the boys made an extra key for the money box
and would
take money out for groceries. Slim became the "boss" after their father's
death.
Though no doubt, their mother had clout.
Otto is a "snappy" dresser
Snapshot "Slim"
Even though this is a photo of Halbert, Slim also rode one.
I was told that Slim use to run moonshine for extra money
during prohibition. There were a few distilleries around the area and Slim,
sometimes Halbert would run supplies.
I found this photo of "Slim" to be quite interesting for some reason.
On speaking with the Kinsley
family members, they called him "skinny." I had not heard that before as
my father called him "Slim."
Portion of Hansen
Family taken early 1940's
Back: Otto, Helmer (Ham),
Halbert, Ida, Anna, John, Karl & Martin
Sitting: Ingeborg & Christ
Missing are Elizabeth &
Josephine
| 
Christ & Ingeborg Hansen
Families
