Barb Hansen – World’s greatest volunteer

“Barb Hansen has a very big heart for the people of Newcastle, and we sincerely believe she is a worthy recipient of Person of the Year,” said Jane Abernathy, who nominated Hansen for the News Letter Journal’s annual award. “She is always eager to serve in so many ways that we thought this recognition was overdue.”
Abernathy, office administrator at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, submitted a nomination letter with Hansen’s daughter, Kim Rhoades, for 2022 Person of the Year to recognize Hansen for everything she does “to make our community a better place to live.” 
For her part, Hansen believes Newcastle might be a small community, but it takes a group effort to make it successful. 
“It’s important to work together to make a community viable and prosperous,” Hansen said. “As a group, we can reach out and make a bigger difference.” 
And, according to friends and family, no one puts more energy into accomplishing that goal than Hansen.
“Oh, heavens, I don’t know where to begin,” said friend Shirley Harder, also a parishioner of Corpus Christi Catholic Church. “I’ve known Barb for a very long time, and I know of no person that is more caring than she is. … She’s willing to step out and help whenever she is asked, and even when she isn’t asked.” 
According to the nomination letter, Hansen served on the Welcome Committee Board for the Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp, drove the bus for the Weston County Senior Citizens Center to Rapid City once a week and was honored as the First Lady of Beta Sigma Phi. 
However, she still remains deeply involved in the community by serving on the boards of the local BREAD office and Weston County Historical Society. She is also the president of the Community Cantata board and member of the Newcastle Handbell Choir.
“Barb volunteers for everything. She does everything, (and) she’s at all the community events,” said Lynda Russell, handbell choir director and high school classmate.
Russell said Hansen has been a member of the choir since it began and “always shows up.” As a member of the Newcastle High School class of 1958, Hansen has also arranged every class reunion since graduation. 
“She’s just a wonderful person,” Russell said. “She doesn’t say no to anything. She’s very, very faithful.”
Russell also described Hansen as a “very active” member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. Because members of her family served in both World War II and the Vietnam War, the VFW is very important to Hansen, and she’ss proud to support veterans. 
“I’m proud to say we (VFW auxiliary) do things in our community and for our veterans,” Hansen said. 
But Hansen does more than volunteer for organizations. She also personally invests in the community by taking people to their appointments and helping her disabled neighbor. 
“In her ‘spare time,’ Barb drives anyone who needs a ride to doctor appointments in her personal car and takes care of her disabled neighbor,” Abernathy said. “She bakes and cooks for him and assists him in some of the tasks he cannot do for himself.” 
Rhoades recalled from her youth that her mother was always on the go, demonstrating great leadership and confidence.
“She just did everything. She was Supermom,” Rhoades said.
Hansen’s care for the community stems from the legacy of her mother, Genevieve Roan, who was a nurse at the old hospital in Newcastle. Russell said Roan was a great volunteer, and Hansen “got that volunteer spirit from her mother.”
“She emulates what her mother did,” Rhoades said. “I think she was born like that.” 
Despite the busyness, Rhoades said, the Lord always came first and Hansen has dedicated much of her time to serving at church, instilling that same faith into her children.
“Without the layperson’s involvement, a church would be stagnant. We need to support our pastors and priests. We need to volunteer where needed,” Hansen said. “It’s important to work as a group in your church because without support and contributions in your church, it would not exist.”
Hansen served many years as the president of the church’s women’s group, where she oversaw supporting the needs of the parish, charities around the world and other service projects. Whether it’s a funeral, St. Patrick’s Day dinner or the annual Christmas tea, Hansen is always there to help out.
“She meticulously washes and irons the linens for the altar and offers help whenever the church has some task to be done. She is a hard worker in the kitchen, as she helps coordinate, cook, serve and clean up for a multitude of meals,” the nomination letter states.
Ken Pitlick, deacon of the church and BREAD director, said Hansen is a good POY candidate because of that willingness to serve.
“She’s always been that kind of person; she just likes to help people out,” Pitlick said.
“I admire Barb’s work ethic and can-do attitude. She could run circles around most of us with her tireless energy,” Abernathy added. “She is also gracious and humble, not expecting anything in return for her selfless volunteering.”
Hansen first moved to Newcastle in 1947 and came back in 1993 after taking
a 28-year hiatus in Casper,
and she said she loves her community.
“I’m just glad I’m living in Newcastle. It’s a good community,” Hansen said.
And now the community would like to return that gratitude by showing their appreciation for Hansen. 
“She’s great — she’s the best volunteer in the world, I think,” Russell said. “I think Barb would be a very deserving Person of the Year.”