Christopher Harvey Hansen

Chris Hansen, 56, of Norwalk, IA (formerly Atlantic, IA) passed away at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, on February 6, 2026. Born in Atlantic on March 24, 1969, to Robert and Sandra (Larsen) Hansen. Chris’ life was filled with warmth, creativity, and a deep love for baseball. He spent countless summers playing ball with his big brother Rob and his father Bob as coach and could often be heard announcing Wiffle ball games from the upstairs bathroom window, channeling his best Harry Caray voice.

When not on the field, Chris enjoyed long bike rides to visit friends and expressed his artistic talents by drawing album covers. As he grew older, Chris developed a passion for working on cars and stereos. During his senior year with the Atlantic Trojan Baseball Team, he was a standout pitcher, earning First Team All-Conference honors. He graduated from Atlantic High School in 1987, then attended Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa, where he pitched for the Spartan Baseball Team until a knee injury ended his baseball career. Chris later spent a semester at Iowa Central in Ft. Dodge. In adulthood, Chris held a variety of jobs, including a position at Firestone and most recently as a contractor delivering packages. He was known as a “dog whisperer,” especially for his bond with his beloved dog Zeus. Chris made his home in Norwalk, with his close friend Mark LeMaster, who treated him like a younger brother. Generous with his time, he was always ready to help neighbors and friends with their cars and lawns.

Chris is survived by his mother Sandra Buchholz (Gordon) of Audubon, IA; stepmother Kathi Hansen of Papillion, NE; brother Rob (Becky) Hansen of Atlantic; sister Heidi Hansen (Matt Carper) of Lincoln, NE; brother Kyle (Valerie) Hansen of Elkhorn, NE; sister Hilary Hansen of Omaha, NE; niece Karina Hansen and nephew Reese Hansen, both of West Palm Beach, FL; nephew Quinn Hansen of Elkhorn, NE; niece Charlotte Carper of Lincoln, NE; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father Robert (Bob) Hansen, grandparents Robert and Helen Hansen, Harvey and Barbara Larsen, uncle Ed Larsen, aunt Sherrill Huffman, and cousins Brooke Larsen and Ryan Hansen.

There will be a visitation on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, from 4 pm till 6 pm at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic with the family present.

The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic is caring for Chris, and his family and condolences can be sent at: schmidtfamilyfh.com