Bellevue Community Foundation

The Bellevue Community Foundation joins our community in mourning the loss of our friend and longtime supporter, Tom Hansen.

Tom spent more than four decades building T. Hansen Construction into one of the region’s most respected masonry contractors. His work can be seen throughout Bellevue and the Omaha area, but the things Tom built with brick and stone represent only a small part of the legacy he leaves behind.

For Tom, family always came first.

Tom and his wife, Mary, recently celebrated 51 years of marriage. Together they built a wonderful life centered around their children, Kristy and Ryan, their spouses, and six grandchildren. Some of Tom’s happiest moments were simply having family and friends gathered at the house, around the pool, sharing a drink, telling stories and laughing.

Tom also loved Bellevue and believed strongly in giving back to the community that had been so good to his family. He was a tremendous supporter of Bellevue Public Schools, the Bellevue Public Schools Foundation and especially the Bellevue Community Foundation.

In fact, nearly 15 years ago, Tom and Mary opened their home for some of the earliest organizational meetings of the Bellevue Community Foundation. Tom never needed recognition for what he did. He simply wanted to know what he could do to help—and usually had an idea or two about how we could make Bellevue a little better.

One of Tom’s final contributions to the Foundation was the masonry work surrounding the Bellevue Legacy Trail signage at American Heroes Park. There is something especially fitting about knowing that Tom left his mark on a project dedicated to recognizing people who have made a difference in Bellevue.

And Tom certainly made a difference.

He was also just a lot of fun to be around. He loved his Huskers, a good drink, a good story and spending time with friends. Those who traveled with Tom over the years have plenty of stories—although some are probably better left to them to tell and will undoubtedly get a little better with each retelling.

Tom Hansen left Bellevue better than he found it. He helped build organizations that will serve our community for generations, supported our schools and countless community efforts, and quietly helped many people along the way.

But his greatest legacy will always be the family he loved so deeply and the friendships he built throughout his life.

The Bellevue Community Foundation extends our deepest sympathies to Mary and the entire Hansen family.

Thank you, Tom, for believing in Bellevue, for believing in our Foundation, and for showing us what it means to give back to the community you love. You will be greatly missed.