Jeff passed away September 6, 2026 at Western Home Thuesen Cottage after a series of illnesses.

He was born March 22, 1954 in Waterloo, Iowa to Donald and Mary Hansen. He graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1972 and then attended the Wyoming Institute of Technology. In 1978 he and Karen Leibe were married and later divorced. They had two daughters, Tara of Grinnell, Iowa and Chelsea of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Jeff worked at John Deere for 33 years with the bulk of that time as an experimental mechanic at the PEC.

Jeff could build or repair most anything and loved a challenge. He rebuilt cars and motorcycles, enjoyed swap meets, junkyards, and finding treasures along the curbside. He had a big heart for animals, especially cats.

Jeff is survived by his mother Mary, daughters Tara Hansen and Chelsea Hansen (Kyrize Arrington), former wife Karen, younger brothers Tom (Barbara), Mark (Lisa), Corey (Jean), a grandson (Makai Arrington), many nieces and nephews, and his cat Jasper.

He was preceded in death by his father and a niece.

Please join us at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 16, 2026 to place Jeff's ashes in the columbarium at Greenwood Cemetery in Cedar Falls.  A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, June 24, 2027 Time and location will be announced at a later date. 

Memorials can be sent in Jeff’s name to Cedar Bend Humane Society.