WATERTOWN, N.Y. – Ramon “Ray” Hansen, a retired newspaper publisher, editor and reporter who once owned the Waushara Argus in Wautoma, Wis., recently published a book chronicling his decades-long career in the newspaper business.
Hansen’s book, titled “30 – My Newspaper Life,” was published Aug. 6, and is available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other sellers. It tells the story of his long career in journalism, which began in 1947 as a part-time reporter for the Lincoln (Neb.) Star and continued until his retirement in 2001, according to a press release from Page Publishing.
After growing up in Nebraska, Hansen served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. When he returned home, Hansen enrolled at the University of Nebraska, from which he graduated in 1949.
Hansen’s first job took him to Washington D.C., where he covered the U.S. Senate for the Star, according to a Watertown (N.Y.) Daily Times story on the book. He was fired after only a few weeks due to his inexperience, but remained in Washington and worked a number of non-newspaper jobs while saving to buy his own paper.
In 1959, Hansen had $10,000 saved up and went to Wisconsin, where he purchased the Waushara Argus. He owned the Wautoma newspaper for five years before selling it in 1964.
Hansen also met his wife, Donna, while working at the Argus. Donna was a music teacher at that time, and Hansen met her while taking her photo for a story. She later worked as office manager for the Argus. Ray and Donna Hansen were married in March 1965, and went on to own several newspapers together.
Following their time in Wisconsin, Ramon Hansen went on to serve as editor of the Frankfort (Ind.) Daily Times and the Omaha (Neb.) Sun, while the couple waited for a new opportunity to purchase a newspaper. They then went on to purchase The Neodesha (Kan.) Sun, The Prairie Drummer in Colby, Kan., The Interstate News in Siloam Springs, Ark., and the Carthage (N.Y.) Republican Tribune.
