Obituary of Peter John Hansen

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Peter Hansen, announce his passing on the evening of February 15, 2024, at the age of 70.

Peter will be deeply missed and mourned with fond and loving memories by the love of his life, and wife of 48 years, Judy (nee Kleinschroth), son Jonathan (Vikki), daughter Emily (Ivan), brothers Lester (Sue), Edward, Leonard (Sherry), Allen (Kelly), and sisters Nina (Eldon), and Lauretta (Bob), his precious grandchildren Winter, Ever, and Brigg, and a very large circle of extended family and friends. 

Peter will be welcomed into Heaven by his Daughter, Jodi Rae Hansen, Mother, Violet Hansen (nee Flett), Father, Lloyd Hansen, Grandmother, Jenny Flett (nee Fraser), and Grandfather, Edward Flett, and many more who have gone on before us.  It is so reassuring that Peter is now reunited with our beloved daughter, Jodi Rae Hansen.

Peter was born in Fort Chipewyan, on June 17, 1953, and was delivered by his Grandmother, Jenny Flett, the local Midwife.  He was very proud to be from this community.  Peter moved with his family in 1957 at the age of 4 to Fort McMurray/Waterways.  He always planned to retire and stay here, and that is just what he did. 

In 1970-72, while attending Peter Pond High School, Peter was a young teenager and it turned out that he was in a few of the same classes as a young girl that caught his eye, named Judy Kleinschroth. Being as shy as he was at the time he never actually asked her on a date until after he graduated.  Peter and Judy both graduated from grade 12 in 1972 from Peter Pond High School in Fort McMurray where Peter had resided since 1957 and Judy since 1967. Judy was the love of his life and as a testament to their love, Peter and Judy married on October 18, 1975 and remained married for over 48 years. Together they raised two children.  They lost their daughter to cancer although she blessed them with her daughter (their Granddaughter), Emily, whom they adopted and raised as their own daughter.  They also have 3 very precious Grandchildren. 

During the past 50 plus years he has worked for the Northern Transportation Company Ltd. as a Deckhand on the Radium Trader Tug Boat hauling freight to Northern Communities, for Byers Transport as a Teamster, for Redwood Ready Mix starting as a Teamster, then he moved into the office, and became the Operations Manager.  In 1987 Peter commenced a career with Syncrude Canada Ltd. as a Heavy Equipment Operator, then moved to  Facilities Management as a Contract Coordinator.  In 2001 Peter graduated from N.A.I.T. as a Machinist and held a Journeyman Ticket and a Red Seal Ticket.  He worked as a Machinist and worked in Central Shops.  He soon became a Team Leader in that department.  Next he moved to the position as a Contract Coordinator with Security & Site Services where he excelled in his position, greatly respected by all who worked for and with him before retiring. Peter worked with pride and commitment for 32 years with Syncrude till he retired in June 2019. 

Peter was a quiet humble man and known for his huge heart, his love for his family, and spending time with his many friends, some of them he had known since he was just a very young fellow.  He was always a great friend to so many.  Peter was a caring and loving husband, devoted father, cherished son and brother, and an amazing Grandfather. He happily displayed his love for his family each and every day.  He especially enjoyed spending time with Judy and his children.  Peter and his family truly enjoyed the outdoors and going Camping.  He always enjoyed family time when they did go camping to many different locations over the years, where family and friends were always welcomed.  Peter and his family looked forward to and totally loved and enjoyed the time spent with family and friends at the Big Valley Jamboree each year for which they attended over a span of 10 years! 

He loved riding his Harley around town in the Summer months.  He journeyed on a few long road trips with his brothers and friends on their Motorcycles, including way down into the states!  He also motorbiked up North to the Yukon Territories with his son, Jonathan, just this past June.  

Besides Camping and Motorbiking, he truly loved the outdoors in so many capacities including Hunting, Fishing, Boating, Quad-ing, and doing many outdoor activities. He most of all loved Snowmobiling in the Winter months.  He was an avid snowmobiler and traveled on numerous trips to Fort Smith, Uranium City, Tazin Lake, Fondulac, Stoney Rapids, Birch Mountains and other locations in Northern Alberta, Saskatchewan and a trip from Fort Smith, NWT to Montana, USA with many of his longtime friends traveling along with him.  He  has always loved to seek adventure in the great outdoors!  He invariably had a lot of great stories to share about his many, many trips. 

He owned a Trap Line and was passionate about spending time in the Birch Mountain area where he continued to learn about his Métis heritage. In the winter months he often snowmobiled with friends and/or family to his Cabin on the Trapline.  He did a little Trapping as well.  Peter was always the one who knew how to get the group traveling with him to their next location without getting lost in the wilderness. He would find information from locals and Elders that always got them to their destination. On one occasion a friend of his recalled asking Peter ‘why was he turning here at what seems like solid bush not a trail,’ Peters answer was ‘I was told to turn into the bush at this birch tree and there is a trail there under the snow,’ and sure enough there was.  Peter takes pride in sharing his Métis Heritage in school classroom settings educating the students of their ways in the past and present; as well he enjoys volunteering for the MÉTIS Local 1935.  Peter is a truly devoted and humble man who was deeply proud of his Métis Heritage. 

He was a member of the MÉTIS NATION OF ALBERTA, Region 1, and a member of the MCMURRAY MÉTIS LOCAL 1935.  Peter served as McMurray Métis Local 1935 Council President since he was elected in June 2022, after having been on Council for eight years. He also served on the Board of Directors for Infinity Métis Corporation.  Peter helped pave the path to achieve the future goals and objectives of McMurray Métis including the development of the future Métis Cultural Centre, which he was very proud to be a part of.  He was passionate about inspiring others to connect to their culture and always ensured there were plenty of fun activities for the youth and children to do and be included in. Peter had great respect for the Elders as they guided him through their wisdom, knowledge and sharing of traditions. He was a true steward of the land, passionate about our rivers and Mother Earth.  He represented McMurray Métis through his dedicated service and advocacy for Members which will continue to inspire generations. 

Always with a smile on his face, Peter will be forever missed by all who knew him and had the pleasure of working with him. Always lending a helping hand whenever needed. He was a smart businessman who always shared his Traditional Knowledge and wisdom.  Peter’s legacy will live on.He always maintained a calm demeanor, and always wanting the best for his community.

Over the years, Peter has volunteered in a variety of other community projects including community involvement with his snowmobile club, the Muffaloose Trailblazers.  He helped to develop the Little League Ballpark, and was on the Executive Committee that hosted the 1997 Canadian National Little League Championships. He also did volunteer work for the Alberta Summer Games and the Arctic Winter Games held in Fort McMurray. He has volunteered as a Trail Breaker for the Yukon Quest 1000 mile Dog Team Race which starts in Whitehorse, Yukon, and ends in Fairbanks, Alaska, for two seasons. 

When he was at home, one would often see him driving around on a nice summer day with the top down on his (or as he liked to called it Judy’s) 50th Anniversary Camaro Convertible and in the company of either Judy or one of his children or grandchildren and he could also be seen proudly driving his 1948 Red Ford Truck around town.  

Peter will be deeply missed and mourned with fond and loving memories and he will never be forgotten. His loss is immeasurable, so is the impact and love he left behind! He will always be right here in our hearts.  

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On Sunday we Laid my Husband, Peter John Hansen, to Rest following an Emotional yet, Beautiful, and Splendid Celebration of Peter’s Life!  He is now peacefully at rest at the Abasands Cemetery next to his Daughter, Jodi, and his Mother. 

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to:   The Fort McMurray Community Cancer Centre, 7 Hospital Street, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 1P2, in Memory of Peter John Hansen.   

Messages can be posted here or sent to:  jphansen@telus.net

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For those who are unable to attend in person and would like to view his service, please use the link provided below to watch the church service.

Watch the Funeral Service for Peter John Hansen