Faye "Buffy" A. Hansen

Faye A. “Buffy” Hansen, 88, of Fort Dodge, IA, died Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Stratford Specialty Care in Stratford, IA. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM on Monday, October 5, 2026, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1023 S. 27th Street – Fort Dodge. A private family inurnment will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are with Historic Bruce Funeral Home of Fort Dodge. 

Faye “Buffy” Hansen was born on May 29, 1938, at a farmhouse in Royal, Iowa, to Otto and Faye Riley. From the beginning, Faye lived a life full of adventure, family, faith, hard work, and plenty of laughter. She married her high school sweetheart, and together they had five children. After their marriage ended in divorce, Faye found the true love of her life in Melroy “Mel” Hansen. They married on December 21, 1967, and together welcomed one more child into the family. Side by side, they built a life centered on family, faith, hard work, and a whole lot of love.

Faye’s life was anything but ordinary. As a child, she battled scarlet fever, and in high school she played point guard for Royal High School in the 1955 state basketball tournament. Over the years, she took on one adventure after another, never afraid to try something new and always finding a way to keep life interesting. Her adventurous spirit led her down some unexpected paths. She became a professional dancer, where she picked up the stage name “Buffy,” and later put her quick wit to work as a comedian. She also became a hairstylist and a successful businesswoman. With Mel by her side, she went on to start several businesses, including two that became especially well known in Fort Dodge: The Galley Bingo Hall and Shamrock Charters, a successful bus tour company.

If you knew Buffy, you knew she had a personality all her own. She had a strong character, a wonderful sense of humor, and a natural talent for entertaining people. She could make you laugh, tell a good story, and probably have you wondering what she was going to do next. She didn’t simply enter a room—she brought her personality with her.

Buffy loved to cook, sing, travel, and watch the Game Show Network. She treasured the time spent surrounded by the people she loved and created memories that will be cherished for generations.

She is survived by her sons, Rusty (Tatyana) Hansen, Robby (Debbie) Franker, and Reggy (Tonya) Hansen; daughters, Debby (Dan) Pruismann and Heidi Hansen; 21 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren, along with two siblings and their spouses.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, Mel Hansen; daughter Dawn (Franker) Hansen; grandson Reginald Hansen; her parents; and two siblings. Buffy leaves behind much more than a list of accomplishments. She leaves behind laughter, stories, lessons, memories, and a family who knew her love and strength firsthand. Her quick wit, adventurous spirit, and one-of-a-kind personality will be deeply missed.