Peter Hansel

Peter Jerome Hansel, 53, passed away in his sleep unexpectedly and peacefully, on Monday December 19, 2016 at his home in Huntington Beach, CA.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 AM, Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Waseca. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held 4:00 8:00 PM with at 7:30 PM rosary service on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at the Starkson & Steffel Funeral & Cremation Services ~ McRaith Chapel of Waseca. Memorials are preferred to Sacred Heart Catholic School and the Waseca FFA. www.wasecafuneral.com

Peter was born on July 14, 1963 in Minneapolis, MN to Al and Shirley Hansel. He graduated from Waseca High School in June of 1981 at the top of his class. He then went on to attend Iowa State and earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering in May 1986.

From his childhood to the day he passed away, Peter started every day with a smile and a plan. As a child he enjoyed working with his grandpa Hansel in his auto shop, farming with grandpa Rust, showing horses in 4-H and being a big brother to his sisters LeAnne and Laurel.

For the past 32 years Peters passion has been auto racing. He has had a storied racing career; working with Skip Barber, Bill Elliots NASCAR team, All American Racers, PPI Motorsports, Brembo, Burton Racing, The Racers group and others. He was a gentle soul with a competitive spirit both as an amateur driver and then as a championship race engineer. Peter will be forever remembered for his technical expertise and devout friendship to his teammates.

Peter was a farmer, a pilot, an engineer and an amazing entrepreneur. Most importantly, he was the husband to the love of his life, Patt. Although taken way too soon, Peter and Patt were the ultimate team and created a lifetime of memories together. Adventurists at heart, they traveled the world, and created a beautiful life together at home in Southern California where they nurtured their gardens and savored their bounty, especially Peter, through Patts homemade soups, pies and jams.

An outdoorsmen at heart, Peter loved to explore beaches, the woods, the mountains, the lakes, and the ski slopes Patt always at his side patiently and cheerfully supporting his ventures. Peter was a family man, he took such joy in celebrating lifes special occasions with his parents, sisters and nieces and nephews. Peter saw the potential in himself and inspired others to achieve their goals. He strove for excellence, which was required to earn his pilots license. Once he learned to fly he soared in everything. He was able to purchase the plane of his dreams, a bonanza, and then acquired the rare tail number N1PH. Pete was able to travel the USA in his plane and the world with his racing.

Peter is survived by his wife Patt Scanlon; His parents, Al (Joyce) Hansel of Claremont, MN and Shirley Hansel of Waseca, MN; sisters LeAnne (Brad) Krause of Janesville and their children Dan, Sarah and Rachel and Laurel Hansel (friend Jason Foster), her son Alex of Chatfield, MN, and he was Uncle Pete to Stephanie, Christopher, Tim, Dayna, Joe, Brendan, Kelly, Phillip, Andrea, Sean, Leslie, Shelby, Allyssa, Valerie, and Keelin.

Arrangements are being completed with the Starkson & Steffel Funeral & Cremation Services ~ McRaith Chapel of Waseca. www.wasecafuneral.com