Joel DeWayne Hansen

Joel was born in Vancouver WA on October 9, 1976. He was tragically taken from us doing what he loves, riding a motorcycle on Thursday, October 6, 2022. He was riding home from having dinner with his brothers with the Kadaken Brotherhood MC.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents and Sister Teresa Mae Hansen. He is survived by his parents Kenneth and Earline Hansen; brothers Chris (Kimberley) Hansen and Dale Hansen; sisters Clarissa (Shane) Rosenow and Vivian Hansen; nephews Michael Dykstra, Christian Hansen and Jonathan Rosenow; nieces Torrey Hansen, Michelle (Michael) Marshall, Kendra (Jarrod) Bennett, Payton Hansen, Madison Hansen, Kimberley Hansen, Emily Rosenow and, God Daughter Sierra Rogers, great nephew Talib and great niece River, many Aunts, Uncles, cousins, 2^nd and 3^rd if not 4^th cousins.

Joel grew up as any normal young boy until about 3^rd grade when his brother Chris found a lump on his neck. His life was drastically changed from that time on. For the next 2 ½ years he endured chemotherapy and 20 radiation treatments. He spent more time in the hospital than at home, at one time he spent 122 days straight in the hospital. It was that radiation that caused the damage that stunted his growth and destroyed his teeth, gums and throat, but he still grew up. When we were young our dad would put a train around the Christmas tree and he would lie on the floor and wait for it to come around and hear the horn. He would yell “BEEP BEEP!!” That is how he received his first nick name “Beeper”. At a young age he acquired a passion for semi-trucks. He would always put his hand out the window and give the pull the horn sign and we all know what that is. He was driving one by his early 20’s. He drove a tractor with almost every type of trailer there was, I won’t try to name them all because I am sure I will mess something up. He drove from Miami, FL to Blaine, WA once a week delivering roses, gummy candies even toilets at some point. During this time he took the time to go on many adventures like deep sea fishing. He caught a 9 foot hammerhead shark that took him 2 hours to bring in on a rod and reel. It is hanging a Sharky’s Pawn Shop in Bellingham. He also caught a Mahi-Mahi, a sail fish and a barracuda. If anyone needed directions anywhere in the lower 48 he could give them to you from memory. It was during his truck driving days he got his nick name “Squeaky”. The other drivers thought he was a girl and he let them believe it for a long time.  Once his truck driving days were over he turned to motorcycles. Talk about going from one extreme to the other right? Joel rode his bike everywhere no matter the weather. When he wasn’t driving trucks or bikes he would be at the mountain on a snowmobile. He also loved to put together Legos. He would build them and give them out as gifts. He loved the Ferndale football team and whenever they went to the playoffs he would not miss a game. Joel loved the Seahawks and would go every chance he got. Anyone who knows Joel also knows he is famous for his firework shows. When our grandma Clarissa Young was still alive he would put on a show for the Lummi Elders down at Little Bear Creek. He would then do a very large show for friends and family. We had many 4^th of July parties on the beach. Watermelons were not safe. There were trailers, tents, food, people and kids everywhere. He paid for at least 90% of the fireworks himself. He was always willing to give a helping hand to anyone in need. Last year there was a high tide down at Sandy Point. He used our dad’s tractor and rented and excavator to help clean up people’s property, driveways, and the road. He loved driving heavy equipment of any kind. He always had to be driving something with wheels. If the weather was too bad to be out on the road he would drive around his remote powered vehicles. Since his death the 3 things we have heard the most are 1. Joel didn’t know a stranger, 2. Joel lived more life than anyone they knew and 3. Joel is the kindest, nicest person you will ever meet. Everyone that knew him knew he was always on the move. Please come and join us for a celebration of his amazing life that he lived to the fullest on Saturday October 15, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Living Water Fellowship, 4767 Guide Meridian Bellingham, WA 98226