Hansens Celebrate 55 Years Of Love

Olfert (“Olie”) and Joan Hansen of Arverne are celebrating a major milestone today — 55 years of marriage. The Hansens were married at the First Congregational Church of Rockaway Beach on February 5, 1955, in a ceremony conducted by the Rev. Henry M. Childs, Jr. Olie, a lay leader at First Congregational for over five decades, is well known in the community. For many years, he was the dairy department manager of the A&P supermarket formerly housed in the building now occupied by The Wave newspaper. He was also a popular vendor at the Hamer-Campos farmers’ market when it was located in the schoolyard of PS 42 in Arverne. Joan worked for many years as a paraprofessional at several Rockaway schools. The Hansens have three children: Lisa, Peter and Vern; four grandchildren (Daniel, Nancy, Nicole and Sandy); and two great-grandchildren (Abigail and Alexander). The couple have resided in the same home in Arverne for 53 years, and still attend regular services at First Congregational, where Olie performs, on occasion, with the church choir.