Hugo Lee Hansen passed away unexpectedly at St. Peter’s Hospital on New Year’s Day, 2018. Lee was the first of four children born to Hugo Walter and Mary Edna Hansen in Glasgow, MT, on March 3, 1948. He attended St. Raphael School and graduated from Glasgow High in 1966. The family moved to Great Falls, MT, shortly after his high school graduation.
Later that summer Lee was drafted into the U.S. Army and served one tour of duty in Viet Nam. The trauma of war on the psyche of a young adult had lifetime effects on Lee, but he was forever proud of serving his country.
After he was discharged Lee moved back to Glasgow and met his future wife, Kay Johnson. They were married in 1970 in Glasgow and then moved to Helena. During the marriage, Lee adopted Kay’s daughter Janna. The marriage ended in divorce in 1976. In his younger years Lee enjoyed playing baseball, shooting pool, hunting and the friendships he made. He looked forward to hunting season when he would make the yearly pilgrimage to Glasgow to hunt and reconnect with old friends. He had a wonderful sense of humor and an infectious laugh.
In February 1984, Lee married Diana Lindstrand. Lee always had an interest in cooking, particularly making pizza, and he opened Hugo’s Pizza in Montana City in 1985. He joined forces with his wife Diana and with Ray and Debbie Thares to move the business from inside the Montana City Grille across the interstate to expand to Papa Ray’s and Hugo’s Pizza.
In 1995, Lee and Di moved to Sheridan, MT, where they owned and operated The Sump Saloon and Ruby Hotel. Lee and Di were divorced in 2001. In the last ten years Lee’s health began to deteriorate and eventually he lived in the veteran’s home in Miles City, and later was moved closer to home, living at Elkhorn Health Care in Clancy until his death. He was proud of his Native American heritage and was a member of the Little Shell Tribe of the Chippewa Indians.
Lee was pre-deceased by his parents, and leaves behind his daughter Janna (Dan) Kroll of Helena, three siblings: Gaynell (Dave) Bruck of Helena, John (Betty) Hansen of Wilsonville, OR, and David Hansen of Great Falls, along with several nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind life-long friends Kevin and Lori Irish, and Rocky Christiansen as well as former wives Kay Johnson and Diana Lindstrand, for whom he always had great affection.
The family will receive guests on Friday, January 5, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. The body will be cremated and interment will take place in the spring, where his ashes will be buried with his father at the Hinsdale Cemetery.
The family requests memorials be made to the Northeast Montana Veterans Memorial Park, P.O. Box 202, Glasgow, MT 59230, or a charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday January 5, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday January 5, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
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Reese says
I’m very sorry to hear about Lee’s passing. He was so good to me and many of my friends who started our working careers at Hugo’s cooking pizza and “grating the cheddar!” He will be missed.
Lynette says
My sincere condolences to the Family, The Bible gives us hope for all who die. John 5:28,29. The Resurrection! You have the assured hope of seeing Lee again! We know this to be true for the author of the Bible, Jehovah God cannot lie. Titus 1:2.
Connie says
RIP dear friend
Mickey Kunnary says
So sorry to hear of Lee’s passing. He was a great friend to my dad. God’s blessings on Di and the rest of his family.
debbie says
So sorry for your loss. Hugo was a very kind, honest and interesting person. Loved hearing stories about his monkey he had in Vietnam, his hunting and baseball days. He will be missed a lot.
Mervin Sletten says
Merv says
So sorry for your loss. Lee was one of the kindest men that I have known.
BJ Robertson says
Thankful to have known Lee. He always had a good story and a laugh that was distinctively his. Rest In Peace.
Frank LaMere says
I played some serious softball with Lee In the mid seventies in Helena and moved back to Nebraska where I have been ever since! The term “infectious laugh” has been used to describe his show of good feelings but I add to it an “infectious smile” I will always remember both! Lee was a good man who always had a good word for all irrespective of how he may have felt! I always had a good word for him! I have come to know that there is no coincidence and that I was to come across this memorial! With great humility I share a silent prayer and condolences to his family! The hard days are done for my friend! When you remember him think good thoughts! FL