Friends of the late South Whidbey resident Peter Hansen recently gave their departed friend a send-off worthy of any Viking king.

On the second anniversary of his passing on March 5, Hansen’s friends and family members gathered on Maxwelton Beach and celebrated his life, culminating in the burning of a miniature Viking-style ship at sunset.

Attendees sang, danced, imbibed and told stories of Hansen, ranging from ribald to sentimental. His son-in-law related how Hansen taught him to drive a stick shift truck; another participant recalled being mentored by Hansen to use power tools safely.

David Welton, the photographer for the Whidbey News-Times, noticed the invitation to the celebration in the March 2 issue of the newspaper and decided to attend the event.

Although the day was sunny, it was also crisp, and people dressed accordingly.

“These people all looked like Vikings,” Welton said. “They had their warm weather clothing and knit caps. It was almost like a historical reenactment.”

He observed people placing love letters to Hansen on the boat, which were later set ablaze along with his ashes. Round cardboard “shields” on the boat contained family photographs, drawings of the Norwegian flag and other kind sentiments.

“This was a really neat event,” Welton said.

Michael Clyburn, who made the boat, risked getting his long beard torched when he set the blazing structure afloat.

He and his wife, Doe Stahr, built the boat together. The couple is accustomed to making puppets for the Maxwelton Fourth of July parade, but had never attempted a project quite like this before.

Clyburn said they deconstructed a couple of lightweight wooden boxes and fastened together the slats from those using wood glue. Stahr created the front of the boat, which looked like a dragon.

“Just before the sun touched the mountains, we had the boat ready to set on fire and launch it,” Clyburn said.

He met Hansen through social groups about 20 years ago, and often swapped motorcycle stories with him.

Hansen had Norwegian heritage. During one of Clyburn’s last visits to see him, Hansen’s son, Che, informed him that the family was planning a Viking funeral. Hansen’s response was “far out.”

“I’m sure he enjoyed it, from whatever Valhalla or afterworld he’s in,” Clyburn said.

Photos by David Welton People attending Hansen’s celebration of life service make “shields” for the boat, which contained family photographs, drawings of the Norwegian flag and other kind sentiments. Below, Michael Clyburn, left, and Ryan Kerkvliet carry the Viking boat to the water’s edge at Maxwelton Beach on Saturday.

Photo by David Welton Michael Clyburn, left, and Ryan Kerkvliet carried the Viking boat to the water’s edge at Maxwelton Beach on Saturday.