Ron Hansen

Ron Hansen, 65 of Sioux Falls, passed away on September 3, 2026. A memorial visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 PM Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at Heritage Funeral Home, Sioux Falls. Arrangements provided by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home.

Ron Hansen, age 65 of Sioux Falls, passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 3rd, 2026.

Ron was born November 7th, 1960 in Spencer, IA to Bob and Donnus Hansen. In 1966, his family moved to Owatonna, MN where he graduated high school in 1978. He spent his childhood at the hip of his dad and older brother Bob, playing baseball with them whenever possible and even filling in as bat boy at Bob’s games. In the late 1980s, he befriended Gary Zitterich who provided him with a job working as a mechanic during the day and crewing a sprint car at night where he found his absolute passion in life of racing. Ron, Gary, and the rest of the crew spent the next 13 years traveling from Texas to North Dakota, competing for wins at every stop. When Gary began to step back from racing, Ron continued his adventures with his own boys. He officiated go-kart events to fund these adventures, but also so he could mentor the next generation of racers. Outside of racing, Ron was a year-round Minnesota sports fan to the core and during the winter would frequently call Trevor or bug Kellen to talk about how exactly the Wild needed to play better.

In his later years, his body slowly prevented him from traveling but that wouldn’t stop him from fueling his passion. Thanks to technology, you would frequently find him watching races or hockey on TV, but he made sure he and his boys got together at least once a year to venture to Huset’s Speedway.

Professionally, in 2006, he moved from being a mechanic to managing two apartment complexes where he transformed the apartments building by building with Tony at his side. In 2014, he started working with Home Warranty Company where he enjoyed his job, but he enjoyed the people even more.

Above all, he was a devoted dad and proud of “his boys.” Although his methods were unorthodox at times, he will always be remembered as a good dad and a great friend. He will be remembered by his ornery but friendly demeaner and his life lessons of humility, simplicity, growth, and effort.

Ron is survived by his brother Bob (Ann) and sister Becky (Tim); sons Tony, Brian, Trevor (Karen), and Kellen; grandchildren Jackson, Katie, and Lucas; many nieces and nephews; and more friends than he ever knew.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Donnus.