Perry Hansen, 76, of Spearfish, SD, died peacefully at Monument Health in Rapid City on Friday November 22, 2024.

Perry was born March 16, 1948, to Edward and Vera Hansen in Northeast Nebraska. He spent his formative years on the family farm, pheasant hunting and riding Tony, his horse, while doing chores and commuting to country school. Perry graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1966. He went to Norfolk Junior College and Yankton College to earn a bachelor's degree in Education in 1970 and a master's degree in Secondary Education at the University of South Dakota in 1975.

Perry was a teacher and school administrator who devoted his life to the education and the development of kids, teachers and school staff. He started as a teacher and coach in Crofton, Nebraska. His first role as an administrator was in Hurley, South Dakota, where he served as an elementary principal. Perry spent most of his career as the elementary principal in Spearfish, South Dakota. He was the Superintendent at Mount Vernon, South Dakota, Superintendent in McLaughlin, South Dakota and finished his education career as the Little Wound high school principal in Kyle, South Dakota.

At the age of 16, Perry and his cousins founded a rock and roll band, The Notorious Bandits. The band developed a following at local and regional dance halls. The Notorious Bandits recorded a single record in 1968 with two original tracks, "The Play Pen" on the A side and "She's gone away" on the B side. A tour throughout the upper Midwest and Northeastern US followed in 1969. Most weekends throughout adulthood, Perry could be found singing and strumming his bass guitar in The Blue Ribbon Express and Ambush bands. He and many talented musicians entertained crowds playing popular country and rock hits.

Perry was a lifelong Methodist who consistently practiced his Christian faith. He was baptized and confirmed in the United Methodist Church in McLean, Nebraska. Perry continued to be an active member of the Methodist Church regardless of where he lived. He served in numerous church positions and most valued the fellowship with the Methodist Men. Perry took immense pride in the fact that all his children developed their faith foundation in the Methodist church. Perry was also a Master Mason and member of the Spearfish Masonic Temple.

Perry developed a love for cross country skiing when he moved to Spearfish. Regardless of the conditions, from heavy frost to deep powder, he did not miss many opportunities to cut fresh tracks. Perry was a founding member and first president of the Black Hills Nordic Ski Club. Under his leadership, the club secured a permanent agreement with the US Forest Service to maintain and groom cross country ski trails at Big Hill, provided resources to groom the trails, conducted a winter race series and developed a youth program. The parallel tracks he left in the last snowfall may have melted away, but his legacy to skiing in the Black Hills endures.

Perry is survived by his children; Wyatt (Holly) Hansen of Spearfish, Jesse (Petra) Hansen of Spearfish, Wendy (Luke) Swartz of Rapid City, Darrell Wayne Walking Jr. of Spearfish. He has twelve grandchildren: Zachary (Tessa)Hansen, Eli and Reese Hansen, Jasmine (Austin) Franke, Cole Hansen, John and Heidi Hansen, Kendall Wittenberg, Rex and Peter Hansen, Bridger and Haven Swartz. Lily Hansen was his only great grandchild.

Perry was preceded in death by his parents Edward Hansen and Vera Rosenbach-Hansen and older brother James Hansen. Funeral services will be Friday, November 29 at 3:00 pm in the Spearfish United Methodist Church. Attendees are welcome an hour before and after for visitation. Friends and family are also invited to socialize at Crow Peak Brewery starting at 6:00 pm Friday night. A private burial will be conducted at a later date.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com