Daryl Dean Hansen was born Aug. 19, 1952, in Genoa, to Vernon Louis and Eleanor Janet (Underwood) Hansen and passed away June 24, 2026, surrounded by his family, in Seward, at the age of 73 years, 10 months and 5 days.
Daryl grew up in Harvard, where he was baptized and confirmed at the Harvard United Methodist Church. He graduated from Harvard High School with the Class of 1970. Daryl then attended Fairbury Community College, graduating in 1972. On July 29, 1972, Daryl was united in marriage to Cheryl Yates, and to this union, two children were born, Shane and Shelly.
The couple moved to Elwood, where Daryl was employed with NPPD. After Daryl and Cheryl divorced in 1996, he moved to Seward, where Daryl began working for Seward County Public Power as its Operations Manager. He continued employment there until it changed to Norris Public Power District in 2017, eventually retiring in 2019.
Daryl was united in marriage to Nancy Kamprath on July 12, 2003, in her parent’s backyard in Milford. To this union, he adopted her son, Dillon, into his family. In 2012, Daryl and Nancy purchased a cabin at Ruby, which was their home away from home. He loved entertaining family and friends out there.
Daryl enjoyed deer hunting and taking Dillon on his first hunting trip. He also loved golfing and playing with his partner, Craig Slepicka, for 22 years. Daryl and Nancy loved riding motorcycles with their family and friends. They took trips to San Antonio, San Francisco, Memphis, Milwaukee and, of course, to Sturgis.
Daryl was a natural jokester, always ready with a clever one-liner that could make anyone laugh. His quick wit and playful sense of humor were a big part of who he was. At the same time, he was a true neat freak – everything had its place, and he liked things organized and orderly. Whether it was his home, his workspace, or his belongings, Daryl took pride in keeping everything just so.
Daryl was a longtime member of the Elwood Fire Department, where he served as Fire Chief and EMT. He continued his service with the Seward Volunteer Fire Department when he moved here. Daryl retired from the department in 2007. He worked part-time for Zabka - Perdue Funeral Home for the past five years as part of their cemetery crew. Family was everything to Daryl, which included his unconditional love for Nancy, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, mother, brothers and his many friends. Daryl was a member of St. John Lutheran Church.
Daryl was preceded in death by his father, Vernon, and brother, Douglas.
Survivors cherishing Daryl’s memory include his wife, Nancy Hansen, Seward; sons, Shane Hansen, Seward, Dillon Saltzman and wife, Tiffany, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; daughter, Shelly Martinez and husband, John, Grand Island; six grandchildren, Ryker, Eric, Reid, Elena, Riplea and Caden; we would also like to acknowledge the Kamprath and Lintt children and grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, Teagan and Layla; mother, Janet Hansen, Lincoln; three brothers, Don Hansen and wife, Cathy, North Platte, Dennis Hansen and wife, Deb, Grant, Dave Hansen and wife, Terry, Lincoln; brothers-in-law, Tony Saltzman and wife, Shelley, Seward, Rick Saltzman and wife, Lyn, Tulsa, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Beth Simoens and husband, Joe, Plattsmouth; along with nieces, nephews and numerous friends.
Visitation will be Wednesday, July 1, from 1 – 8:30 p.m. at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 6 – 8 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be Thursday, July 2, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, followed by a reception, also at the church. A graveside service will be at 1:45 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery.
Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
