Ervin Hansen

Ervin Ray Hansen, aka-Ervie Pie, Oofie, the Legend, Earl, tank, was born In Idaho Falls, ID on March 28, 1978. He left this world on his terms, quietly and peacefully March 22, 2025. He was never fond of celebrating his birthday and therefore decided he would just ditch this one entirely– very much to the irritation of Alma who had finally found the perfect gift.

The entire family recalls being so happy the day Ervin “lined up on mom’s bench,” becoming number four in the family, joining siblings Jim, Darci and Kyle. Two more siblings, Marla and Josh, would soon follow. Margaret and Vern’s house was always lively, filled with neighborhood friends and joyful chaos. From an early age, Ervin’s infectious spirit and sense of humor were unmistakable. His mischievous nature was evident early on, and his unique relationships with each of his siblings remained strong throughout his life. Ervin reconnected with his sister Jodi later in life.

Ervin attended Emerson Elementary School, Clair E. Gale Junior High, and Idaho Falls High School. He later pursued his passion for healthcare by earning a Bachelor’s degree in Hospital Administration and Business from Idaho State University. His teen years were filled with mischievous adventures and lifelong friendships, many of whom remained a central part of his life. Those friends were often partners in trouble, much to the chagrin of his mother, but always cherished by Ervin.

Late in his teens, Ervin decided he wanted to buy a 1954 Chevy pickup sold by a man named Ted, and was promptly told he could only buy it if he proved he could work for it. He spent the rest of the summer clearing weeds from the property and his love for both Ted and cars was born. Throughout that summer a friendship which lasted a lifetime was forged and the two were thick as thieves to the very end. Innumerable hours were spent building and rebuilding old cars, talking about guns and generally causing trouble. Ervin never ran across an engine he couldn’t fix, and the faster he could make it the better. There was not a gun he didn’t want to shoot- and his collection is astounding.

The greatest adventure, however, began in 1995 when he finally met his match. Alma Swanson, whom Ervin lovingly called Mundo, quickly became the love of his life. The two met at Johns Hole Forebay boat dock. Ervin always said it was a dream come true to find a girl hanging out in her car, eating Doritos and salsa. This fateful meeting was the beginning of the power duo of Erma and Alma began. Al had a job at JJ North’s and Ervin spent so much time there to be close to her, they finally gave him a job. Ervin always said it took me a full two minutes to fall in love with her. They dated for three years and finally he sealed the deal on August 8, 1998, exactly three years to the date of their first date. They spent the next 30 years loving, growing and writing together, a love story which could be in a book. It was an ongoing joke that he married up and hoped she would never find out. Life was not always easy, but it was always fun. Both were happy to learn the next chapter began a short six years later when they learned their family would be expanding.

On June 23, 2004, both were surprised when Maximus Dean decided to enter this world early– weighing barely over 3lbs with flaming red hair. He arrived in true Max style, in his own way, on his own time. Ervin instantly fell in love with being a dad and took his role very seriously, eventually becoming a stay-at-home dad while he attended school. Ervin would go out to play with his friends to ride motorcycles at night, and when it was time for night feeds, he would return home. He cherished those nighttime hours he and Max spent time together, so Alma could sleep. Those nights built an unbreakable bond between the two of them. Throughout the years Ervin’s contagious love of guns and old cars was adopted by Max. Countless hours were spent looking at old cars and attending gun shows. Max’s favorite memory is working on putting together an engine for his senior project. He said he loved doing something they both enjoyed and spending time together, even though it was freezing cold.

Four years later Samuel Gene better known “Ging-Ging” joined the chaos right on time on May 7, 2008, weighing a whopping 8.14 lbs., a full 3x bigger than his brother. Sam is his father’s child and learned early on that making someone laugh could get you out of a lot of trouble. It didn’t take him long to figure out getting dad to laugh prevented him from consequences. His love of LEGOS was something he shared with his dad. The house is covered to this day with intricate Lego creations, the longer the instruction book the better.

Ging-Ging’s favorite memory with his dad was a trip they took to West Yellowstone, because the boys wanted to see buffalo. The whole family was standing in the back of the truck watching the crowd head towards the buffalo in the distance, when they realized a giant buffalo was laying just beside the truck on the side of the road. He says they were “team buffalo” against the tourists.

Their childhood was full of cousins and adventures. Board games were a favorite pass time of all the family. They loved Halloween and would go buy full sized candy bars and drive around on trail bikes handing them out all over the neighborhood. The boys stayed close to Erv and he to them until the end. One of Ervin’s non-negotiables for any work schedule was taking his boys to school and picking them up every single day– and doughnut Fridays before school.

Later in life, he took a welding class and found a new passion and a new circle of friends, best of all his Tiny Dancer Scotty. That was one thing Ervin was never short on was friends. There wasn’t a person he couldn’t talk to– going in public with him always required extra time for all the stops and chatting that would happen. Ervin made friends everywhere he went, and once you were in his circle he loved you like you had been there forever. He had the ability to make everyone around him feel valued and important. Making friends with Erv was making a friend for life.

Ervin’s love for collecting extended beyond cars. He had a remarkable t-shirt collection, a stash of sunglasses, and a vast assortment of stickers. His most recent passion was his Ducati, affectionately named Sasha, his “Italian girlfriend.” With a need for speed, Ervin and Sasha became inseparable. A lifelong hockey fan, Ervin loved attending Spud Kings games with Alma and the boys. While the action on the ice was exciting, he equally enjoyed socializing with friends and family in the stands.

Later in life Ervin found his passion project in healthcare. He found a second family when he went to work at Mountain View Hospital. Ervin served the community and all the patients who crossed his path with love and kindness. Like in every version of his life, Ervin made some of his closest friends within the walls of the hospital. Ervin made an everlasting impact on the lives of so many– both patients and staff alike.

He was greeted in heaven by numerous loved ones including grandparents, Afton & Ervin Hansen, Earlene & Ray Campbell and Ruth & Earl Church; in-laws, Sharon & Jim Park, and Roy & Carol Swanson. A huge hug was waiting for him from his sister-in-law, Jill Hansen, and a slap on the back from brother-in-law, Allen Swanson.

Ervin’s life was a testament to love, laughter, and loyalty. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and everyone who was fortunate enough to know him.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.