34 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN December 2025 PEOPLE Remembering Tom Hansen JESSIE TOPP-BECKER | NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN MANAGING EDITOR Cattleman. Cattle industry leader. Legislator. These are just a few of the hats Tom Hansen wore during his lifetime. The cattle industry legend passed away Oct. 11 at the age of 78. A North Platte native, Tom is well known for his lifelong commitment to shaping, promoting and preserving the cattle industry in Nebraska and beyond. He was the fourth generation to operate the Hansen 77 Ranch, which was started by his great grandfather in 1878; the 77 brand is the longest held brand in Nebraska by one family. Tom grew up immersed in the cattle industry and saw firsthand the way his grandfather and father prioritized involvement in the Nebraska Stockgrowers Association (NSGA). Hansen’s grandfather, Henry, served as NSGA president from 1937 to 1940; his father, Wesley, served as NSGA president from 1972 to 1974. Following in their footsteps, Tom would serve as Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) president in 2005. But his involvement with Nebraska Cattlemen started long before his presidency. He served on the board and as chairman of the Cow-Calf Council, Natural Resources and Environment Committee and Brand Committee. He also served as the NC representative to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Board. In recognition of his inspirational leadership, Tom was inducted into the NC Hall of Fame in 2015. Tom’s involvement in cattle industry organizations extended beyond NC. Over the years, he participated in the Nebraska Brand Committee, the Nebraska Cattlemen Research and Education Foundation and Lincoln County Cattlemen. He was also passionate about serving his local community, which was evident through his involvement with the NebraskaLand Days Board, Twin Platte Natural Resources District Board, the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation Board, the North Platte Rotary Club and the Messiah Lutheran Church Council. Further following in his grandfather’s footsteps, Tom served in the Nebraska Legislature. Elected by his community in 2007, Tom became the state senator for District 42, serving until 2015. During his time as a legislator, Hansen was well known for working across party lines to serve Nebraskans and advocating for cattlemen, supporting prominent bills related to the industry. “Reflection upon Tom Hansen’s life and professional career as a cattleman and community servant, including as a state senator, provides a view of how to make a positive impact,” says Pete McClymont, former NC executive vice president. “Tom always had a smile and usually included a joke to make people feel good about themselves and life. He gave respect to all and received more in return.” “Tom Hansen was a giant in the beef cattle industry,” adds NC Executive Vice President Laura Field. “As a past president of Nebraska Cattlemen, he stayed engaged in the workings of the association and was quick to call and offer a word of advice and support. I only had the chance to work with him during his final year as a state senator in the Nebraska Unicameral, and during that year, he modeled servant leadership and statesmanship with honesty and integrity as he fought to remove barriers to cattle producers and other agricultural operators.” Through his tenure as a state senator, his leadership in NC and other organizations and his involvement in the Hansen family operation, Tom helped address many issues affecting cattlemen across the state. He is remembered fondly for his integrity, dedication to the industry and devotion to his family. “Tom’s legacy will last for generations to come, and I am forever thankful to have witnessed his dedication to family, public service and championing the needs of fellow cattle producers,” Field says. “I am certainly going to miss Tom Hansen and consider myself incredibly fortunate to have known him.” “Tom is already missed, but his legacy and approach to life will long be remembered,” McClymont adds. “The world has many good people. Tom Hansen is one of the great ones.” Hansen is survived by his wife, Linda, of 58 years; two sons, Marshall (Heidi) Hansen and Eric (Jill) Hansen; grandchildren; great-grandchildren and numerous other family and friends. ~NC~
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