Leif Hansen II, 53, of Ashburn, Virginia, passed away on March 25, 2023, following a 14-month battle with cancer. In his final moments, the sun began shining after days of rain, and while holding the hands of his children and surrounded by his immediate family, Leif took his last breath.

Leif was diagnosed with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer on February 2, 2022. This diagnosis was a complete shock, following an elective full body scan Leif had received on January 14, 2022. The scan had detected masses in his lungs and brain. Leif bravely battled for 14 months from diagnosis to finishing his fight. He was blessed by two amazing medical teams of oncologists, nurses, and technicians that did anything and everything to keep him and his family moving. He made friends at every turn and even wrote a letter to the nutrition manager at INOVA Fairfax hospital to celebrate the impeccable daily service he received from the young man that delivered his food. Leif's brother, Chris, sent him a "POSITIVE VIBES ONLY" hoodie soon after diagnosis. Leif embraced this slogan (and the hoodie!) and it became his mantra. It was a goal from the beginning to find purpose in his path, and Leif showed the world that it is possible to face the future with grace and positivity no matter the circumstance.

Leif was born on St. Patrick's Day, March 17,1970, in Merriam, KS, and lived in Kansas City, KS, Chicago, IL, and San Francisco, CA all before settling in Stamford, CT at the age of three. Stamford became home to Leif who spent a wonderful childhood making friends, riding his bike to the stationery store for baseball cards, candy, and extra wiffle balls, and lots of beach time at the Ocean View Beach and Tennis Club. Leif spoke of these years often, with many fond memories including a "joy ride" in his mom's car into Manhattan, in high school, to visit the Stussy clothing store. Leif graduated from Stamford High School in 1988 and left Connecticut to attend the University of Dayton, where he earned a degree in Psychology in 1992. While at Dayton, Leif worked at the university's sports arena, and even scored himself a vintage basketball uniform that occasionally surfaced on Halloween.

After graduation, Leif spent time in Stamford, CT before moving to Manasass, VA to join his mother and siblings. He enjoyed bartending at Pargo's, KC's, and City Tavern, making lifelong friends and eventually landing his first "day job" from a bar patron. Leif transitioned to a career in telecom sales working for TSM, Blackbox, and finishing his career as a Managing Client Partner in Business Sales with Verizon. The telecom world being quite small, Leif's path crossed many times with those whom he respected and by whom he had been mentored along the way.

A new chapter began when Leif accepted a leadership position in his company that moved him to Atlanta in 2000. It was here, in April 2001, that Leif met the soon-to-be love of his life, Jen, who had been living in Atlanta during the four years prior, and working as a speech-language pathologist for a local school division. Leif and Jen met through mutual friends, instantly striking a connection with each other. Leif and Jen's courtship began after a period of friendship that was rich in new experiences and held a mutual zest for life, sports, and adventure.

Leif and Jen later moved to Arlington, Virginia in 2003, and in an unparalleled April Fools Day, became engaged on April 1, 2004. Being the true gentleman and adventurous soul that Leif was, he had secretly driven to and from Roanoke, VA just the day before to ask Jen's father's blessing for her hand in marriage. The two were later married in a beautiful beach ceremony on November 19, 2004, in Nassau, Bahamas.

Family being the most important thing in the world to Leif, he and Jen welcomed their daughter Taylor in December 2006, and son Leif III, during a February 2010 Super Bowl weekend blizzard. However, their family was not quite complete until the best pup ever, Yogi, joined the Hansen crew in May 2020.

While Leif enjoyed success and accolades at work, his children were his pride and joy. His kids loved spending time with him – watching sports, running errands, hitting a ball, or just hanging out. Leif was the ultimate family man, always taking advantage of any available time to work on projects together; explore local trails and parks; build contraptions in the garage in support of Taylor's volleyball vertical and swing; and coach (Little) Leif through every sport imaginable. Throughout his cancer journey, Leif could be found on the sidelines cheering for his kids – this once included a Sunday after an eight-day hospital stay, four of which spent in ICU, and "Day One" of chemo. Leif could not be stopped!

Leif was a well-rounded predictably unpredictable guy that loved sports, travel, live music, and art of all kinds, and he instilled this love for and sense of adventure and culture in his kids. The Hansens were regulars at Herndon Live, and though Leif loved the beach, he preferred vacations that enabled his family to explore cities, art, and history. Once, immediately following a Monster Truck Jam, when the kids were younger, Leif insisted the family head across the street to the Portrait Gallery. Among Leif's "bucket list" items were taking the kids to a rodeo and a concert – both of which he accomplished. The kids will forever listen to Foo Fighters, Jack Johnson, 80s metal and lots of random tunes and think of their dad.

Just six months prior to Leif's diagnosis, the family spent ten days out West hiking, biking, and kayaking through national parks. This is hands-down the "No.1" family-favorite vacation of all time; the highlight of the trip being time spent riding e-bikes through Zion National Park. Other family-favorites included time in Florida, both in St. Pete to visit Leif's dad, and Ft. Lauderdale to visit his brother's family; some time in the FL Keys in Summer 2022; a trip to Denmark when the kids were little; NYC; and countless local battlefields, museums, and historic sites.

Leif and his family rode an incredible emotional and physical roller coaster of treatment and disease progression, making memories and cherishing moments all along the way. No moment was too small, and the big moments only became bigger. His positivity never wavered. Leif was a husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend to many. The loss of this incredible man is profound.

Leif is survived by his wife Jennifer "Jen" Hansen; daughter and son, Taylor (16) and Leif III (13); and his mother and stepfather, Marsha and Joe McClellan. Leif also leaves behind his sister, Erika Hansen and husband Andrew Acker; his brother, Chris Hansen and wife Jennifer; step-sisters, Karen McClellan and husband Agung Wiramajaya, and Wendy Anderson and husband Mike; and Jen's parents, Robert and Debbie Reid, and sister, Sara Justice and husband Travis. Leif was a well-loved uncle to Drew and Jax (Erika); Luke, Beau, and Bryce (Chris); Arjun (Karen); Lily (Wendy); and Campbell and Blake (Sara). Leif is preceded in death by his father, Leif Hansen.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 11:00am, at Hope Flower Farm, located at 40905 Stumptown Rd., Waterford, VA 20197.  Following the service, guests are asked to join the family for a "Celebration of LEIF" at Vanish Barnwood Brewery, located at 4225 Black Hops Lane, Leesburg, VA 20176. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a college fund for Taylor and (Little) Leif set up by a family friend, or donate to a charity of your choice.

College Fund GoFundMe Link: https://gofund.me/8d3154c0