In Loving Memory of Craig Charles Hansen
May 18, 1951 – September 25, 2025

Craig Charles Hansen was born on May 18, 1951, to Harlan and Susan Hansen in San Bruno, California. At an early age, the family moved out of the busyness of the Bay Area to Loleta. After the 1964 floods, they resettled in Ferndale, where Craig was baptized at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and graduated proudly with Ferndale High School’s Class of 1969. He remained a devoted resident of Humboldt County for the rest of his life.

Craig was blessed with a large and loving family. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Lisa (who was the love of his life and stayed by his side during his battle with cancer). Craig had four children: Michelle (husband Philip), Michael (fiancée Sheryl), Scott, and the late Scotty. His grandchildren were the light of his life: Emma and Bennie (Michelle), Mya (Michael), Ari (Scotty) and Angel (Scott).

Craig shared many memories and adventures with his six siblings: his best friend Chris (wife Stacy), Kevin (wife Augie), Darren (wife Karen), Darcy (husband Ken), and his late siblings Roger and Marcia. He is also survived by his stepmother Beverly (husband Bob), and many nieces and nephews he adored.

Raised on a dairy farm, Craig learned the value of hard work early on—milking cows, baling hay in Carlotta, and, of course, getting into plenty of mischief with his brother Chris. In high school, nicknamed Pontiac, he played as a guard on the Ferndale Wildcats football team - his JV year was one in which the team was undefeated and only one team scored on them. After graduation, he attended College of the Redwoods and went on to build a remarkable career defined by grit and determination. He hauled logs, drove for UPS, and worked alongside his brother Roger at RH Hansen Towing before being nudged by his father into what was deemed a more “sensible” career: insurance. With two very young children in tow, in 1978 Craig joined the insurance business, which proved to be a perfect fit. Craig and his dad worked alongside each other for many years, faithfully sharing lunch every Thursday—a tradition later continued with his son Michael when he joined the business. Craig had great success; he truly valued his clients and the longstanding relationships and friendships throughout the years.  He remained committed to helping his clients right up until the final weeks of his life.

One of Craig’s proudest accomplishments was earning his pilot’s license in the late 1980s. In his early flying days, he would occasionally whisk his family off to Shelter Cove for breakfast after church — because why drive when you can fly? Though he eventually stepped out of the cockpit, he was thrilled to sit in the co-pilot’s seat and land a jet just weeks before he left this world.

A man of deep faith, Craig lived with unshakable confidence in the promise of reunion with loved ones in heaven. He faced cancer with extraordinary courage, beating every prognosis and gaining 17 more years of life. He eagerly participated in clinical trials, always hopeful, not only for his own healing, but for the chance to help others — often joking with doctors, “I’d eat dirt if it would cure me.” If 17 bonus years isn’t a miracle, what is?  

A man of action and connection, Craig poured himself into his community. He was actively involved with the Eureka Rescue Mission, the Rotary Club of Eureka, the Ingomar Club, and Baywood Golf and Country Club. He loved to travel, play golf, sip a good glass of red wine, and swap stories with friends old and new. A passionate hunter, he was fiercely proud of the adventures—and lifelong bonds—formed at “The Hunting Club.”

A celebration of Craig’s life will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Faith Center Foursquare Church, 1032 Bay Street, Eureka, California. A reception with shared stories will follow at Baywood.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the UCSF Prostate Foundation, The American Cancer Society or any of the charities Craig supported. Our family would like to thank the entire oncology team at both St Joseph’s Hospital and UCSF; their compassion and care was exceptional.