Elizabeth “Diane” Hansen

Elizabeth “Diane” Hansen, 83, of Bainville died Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, at the Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson.

She was born to Tom and Erma (Hendricks) Cash on July 29, 1943, in Buffalo, Wyo., joining brother, Richard “Dick.” She lived a generally happy childhood, but experienced trauma early on, losing her mother and brother in separate accidents. Her father guided her through those tough times with the love and support of her extended Cash family, especially Aunt Lois and Uncle Harold in Kaycee, Wyo., and her “double” cousins Ginger, Sue and Jackie, who grew up by her side.

She graduated from Buffalo High in 1961 and pursued post-secondary education first at Chadron, Neb., and then at Eastern Montana College at Billings, where she eventually graduated with a BA in elementary ed. Although this was a great accomplishment, her life changed dramatically for the better early on in college when she met Richard “Dick” Hansen.

They dated for four weeks and were married two weeks later on April 17, 1965, in Buffalo. They celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary this past April. After she graduated college, he was deployed to Vietnam.

At home, she taught school in Casper, Wyo., the two were reunited when Dick’s overseas duties ended. They lived in Virginia for a year where they welcomed their first daughter, Kara, and promptly moved back and made their home on the Hansen family farm in Bainville.

In Montana, she found her new challenge, learning the ropes of being a farm wife, and she was blessed with the perfect teacher in her mother-inlaw, Margie Hansen. Son Christopher made his appearance in 1971 and daughter Kimberly completed their family in 1976.

As her children grew up, she found herself with more time and returned to the classroom, but not before she earned her school librarian endorsement from Minot State. She worked for the Bainville School for 19 years as an elementary teacher and operated the library. She retired in 2003. She was passionate about education for everyone.

She lived a full life, with family as her foundation, but her cornerstone was her faith. She loved and