Fred L. Hansen

Fred L. Hansen, 75, passed away at his East Peoria home, with his wife and daughter by his side, on August 29, 2026, at ice cream time. He was born on February 20, 1951, in Peoria, IL, to Fred C. Hansen and Lois Ann White. They preceded him in death, along with his sister, Rebecca Kellerstrass. Raised in Peoria with his younger brother, Eric (Lynn) Hansen, Fred graduated from Richwoods High School in 1969. He went on to build a long and successful career as a tool and die maker with Caterpillar Tractor Company, graduating from the apprentice and engineering programs. After many years of dedicated service, he retired in 2009. Fred was a Master Mason with Wenona Lodge No. 334, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Illinois and also had a wonderful gift for bringing joy and laughter to others through his involvement with Puppets for Jesus at East Peoria Methodist Church, where he served as a puppeteer and brought the beloved characters Ralph and Grover to life. He married Deborah Kay Coyle on May 5, 2001, on the back of the caboose of the Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad in Freeport, Illinois. Together they have four children: Tobi Haldeman-Wheeler (Ken), F. Kenneth (Jamie) Hansen, Sonja (Scott) Stalter and Jim (Nikki) Coyle. He was grandfather to 16 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren and was an uncle to Ben (Nicole) Kellerstrass, Ashley Kirby and Megan (Nate) Braxton. Always the craftsman, Fred owned a business installing and repairing hardwood flooring systems as a subcontractor with Kelch Floors. Countless homes in the Peoria area have been beautifully upgraded by his hands. A lifelong engineer, Fred’s greatest joy was trains. He built multiple fully functioning inch and a half live steam model trains and took great pride showcasing his talents at Steam Shows in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. He was a 30-year conductor with the Midwest Central Railroad. A celebration of Fred’s life will be held at Gary Dieters Funeral Home in East Peoria on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, with visitation from 4-6 p.m. and a remembrance service at 6:00 p.m. Memorials may be made in Fred’s name to Midwest Central Railroad or Puppets for Jesus. Online condolences may be left at www.GaryDeitersFH.com.

Fred L. Hansen

February 20, 1951 - August 29, 2026