“To live in hearts we leave behind,

is not to die.”

1938 - 2007

Funeral services for Ernie Hansen, 69, of Safford were held Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 10 a.m. in the LDS 20th St. Chapel. He passed away peacefully at his home following a lengthy battle with several health issues. Ernie was born on March 17, 1938, in Bisbee, Ariz. He was educated in several different elementary schools as his stepfather worked construction.

Knowing the importance of high school years, his parents settled in Benson, Ariz., where he and his brother, Jim, excelled in sports. Graduating in 1956, Ernie earned a football scholarship to ASC (now NAU) and played football there before being drafted by the San Francisco 49'ers his junior year. The 1958 ASC football team was invited to play in the Holiday Bowl in St. Petersburg, Fla. and was the first Arizona team to be televised on national television. The entire 1958 ASC team was later inducted into the ASC Football Hall of Fame. He signed with the 49'ers and left for St. Mary's College.