Jack Hansen

Jack Gordon Hansen, age 77, passed away peacefully with family at his side on Sunday, July 17 th , 2022 after a long illness. Jack was born on April 12 th , 1945, in Herrin, Illinois, the son of Gordon and Hessie (Fulkerson) Hansen. He married his beloved wife Barb on August 21 st , 1987, in Rockford, Il.  Jack was a proud lifelong Rockford resident and a 1963 graduate of Auburn High School. After high school, he served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves for 6 years. He developed a love of the grocery business when he started working as a teen for Jewel Food Stores in the 1960’s. He became one of the youngest store managers at the young age of 26. He continued to manage many Jewel Food Stores in Rockford and the surrounding suburban Chicago areas. Jack always dreamed of owning his own grocery business and achieved his goal when he bought and operated The Neighborhood Store on Broadway in Rockford for nearly a decade. His love of people and his ability to talk to anyone afforded him the opportunity to serve many neighborhood customers, especially the East High School students, which he dearly loved. He was known to have the best hot dogs and the longest candy aisle in the area.
Most people will remember Jack for his successful career in real estate, which spanned over four decades in the Rockford area. Over his career, he received multiple awards and recognitions for his achievements in sales. He continued his passion until his retirement in early 2022.
Jack will always be remembered by everyone, as the calmest, most understanding, loyal, patient, and helpful soul. Family and friends often relied on him for his wise advice and expertise, not only in business, but in life, especially as a husband, father, and grandfather. His most notable characteristic was always being “Mr. Reliable.” He would always be available no matter what else he was juggling at the time. Even throughout his health struggles, he continued to remain positive and always kept his quick wit and sense of humor.
Jack is survived and will be deeply missed by his wife, Barb, his sons, Jeffrey (Shawn Elise) Hansen, Gregory (Cynthia) Hansen, Michael Moore, Timothy (Chris Ann) Moore, and Grandchildren: Krystle, Alex, Madeline, Jack, Kate, Kylee, Rylie, and Chase. He was blessed with a very large extended family and a devoted circle of close friends. Jack is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Michael Hansen, and daughter Jodi Geddes (Moore). The family would like to acknowledge and thank the support and compassionate care given by many teams of nurses at the OSF Cancer Center, OSF Medical Center, OSF Hospice Care, and his physicians Dr. Habib, Dr. Korkmaz, and Dr. Chang (UW Madison). A celebration and service of Jack’s life will be held at Christ United Methodist Church Alpine Center, 4905 Highcrest Rd, Rockford, with a visitation on Thursday, July 28 th from 2-4pm, followed by his celebration service at 4pm, with Reverend Jane Eesley officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any Memorials be made to Christ United Methodist Church.