Elizabeth “Diane” Hansen, 83, of Bainville, Mont., passed away on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the Roosevelt Medical Center, Culbertson, Mont., with her family at her side.
Celebration of Life for Diane will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 11:00 A.M., at the Bainville School, Bainville, Mont., with Pastor Gretchen Wagner o_ciating. Memorials may be to: Bainville Dollars for Scholars or Roosevelt Medical Center, Culbertson, MT. A luncheon will follow the burial at the Bainville Fire Hall for a time of fellowship and sharing. Diane will be laid to rest in the Bainville Cemetery, Bainville, MT. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 2, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the funeral home in Sidney and one hour before services at the school. The service will be recorded and uploaded as soon as available on Diane’s obituary page on www.fulkersons.com. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Sidney, Mont., is assisting the family. Remembrances, condolences and pictures may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com.
Elizabeth Diane (Cash) Hansen, 83, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Aug. 28, 2026, after battling late-stage dementia and while in the loving care of the sta at the Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson, Mont.
Diane was born to Tom and Erma (Hendricks) Cash on July 29, 1943, in Bualo, Wyo., joining brother Richard “Dick” and making their family complete. She lived a generally happy childhood, but experienced trauma early on, losing her mother and brother in separate accidents. Diane’s dad 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.
Diane 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 for Diane, her life changed dramatically for the better early on in college when she met the handsome, blue-eyed love of her life, Richard “Dick” Hansen.
Dick and Diane were the definition of love at first sight. They dated for 4 weeks and were married 2 weeks later on April 17, 1965, in Bualo. Dick and Diane celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary this past April. After Diane graduated college, Dick was deployed to Vietnam.
At home, Diane taught school in Casper, Wyo., the two were reunited when Dick’s overseas duties ended, and then they lived in Virginia for a year. There they welcomed their first daughter Kara and promptly moved back and made their home on the Hansen family farm in Bainville, Mont.
In Montana, Diane found her new challenge, learning the ropes of being a farm wife, and she was blessed with the perfect teacher in her mother-in-law, Margie Hansen. Son Christopher made his appearance in 1971, and daughter Kimberly completed their family in 1976. Dick and Diane worked side by side for many years, loving their life together as the best parents and giving their children a loving foundation on the Hansen farm and ranch.
As her children grew up, Diane 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. “Once you have an education, no one can ever take that away from you,” she often said. Diane lived a full life, with family as her foundation, but her cornerstone was her faith. Diane loved and served the Lord and eventually became a lay minister in June 2011.
Diane was also an independent, spunky woman with many interests and a quiet, quick witty way in conversation. She was an avid reader and a fiercely competitive card player. She loved music and singing. She was a great cook and baker (just ask Dick) and she was so creative. She was a Sunday school teacher, where she wrote and directed many Christmas programs
