Armand W. "Toby" Hansen, 97, of Grant, passed away February 18, 2021, at the Golden Ours Convalescent Home in Grant.
Toby was born June 12, 1923, at Wymore, Nebraska, the oldest of five children, to Carl and Lavilla (Miller) Hansen. Toby was Baptized in 1934 at the Methodist Episcopal Church of Wymore. He graduated from Lincoln High School with the Class of 1940.
Toby began work at Lemont Telephone Repair, which the beginning of his long career in telecommunications. In 1943, Toby joined the US Navy, where he served during WWII and was honorably discharged in 1946, but continued with reserve commitment to the Navy until 1952.
On June 17, 1944, Toby married Clementine L. Davis in San Francisco, California, and their union was blessed with a daughter, Judy. Toby was hired by Erney C. Hunt to work for his telecommunications business, which he did for forty years. The couple made their home in Chicago, IL, Lincoln, NE, and Creighton, NE, before moving to Grant in 1951. They moved to Blair, NE, for 20 years before returning to Grant in the late 1980s, where they lived the rest of their married lives. Throughout that time, Toby had worked his way up from Board Switching maintenance, to District Manager, to Plant Engineer & troubleshooting consultant.
Toby's long life was adorned with many blessings, but he always considered his family and friends to be at the top of the list. In his time, Toby observed many landmark events, from the hoisting of The Sower to the top of the state capitol dome to the installation of the first dial phone system in Grant. Toby was also blessed to have made an Honor Flight trip to Washington DC, where he even enjoyed a meeting and lunch with the Vice President of The United States, which was something that meant a great deal to him.
Toby was a member of several Barbershop Choruses and performed at countless events over the years. He was a longtime faithful member of the Grant United Methodist Church.
Toby was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Clem; two brothers, two sisters, and their spouses, along with a nephew.
Survivors include his daughter, Judy (Galen) Tickle of Grant; 3 granddaughters, Dana (Brad) McArtor of Grant, Brenda (Steve) McClenahan of Grant, Sheila (Joe) Uridil of Chino Valley, AZ; 7 great-grandchildren, Joshua, Christopher, Brent, Courtney, Mallory, Colton, and Quinton; four great-great-grandchildren; along with many friends.
A memorial has been established in Toby's memory for later designation by his family. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where a recording of the service will be posted.
Services will be on Monday, February 22, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at the Grant United Methodist Church, with Rev. Lorri Kentner officiating. Interment with military honors will be in the Grant Fairview Cemetery. Masks will be required.
Visitation will be on Sunday, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.