Wayne Howard Hanson

     Wayne Howard Hanson, the son of Elmer and Annie (Erickson) Hanson was born on October 18, 1925 in Sioux Rapids, IA. His childhood years were spent in the small town of Sioux Rapids, where he attended elementary school with his four sisters and one brother. He was a good student—even though the teachers added that he had an “ornery” streak.  For Wayne’s high school years, he traveled to Nevada, Iowa where he was a student at Oak Park Seventh-day Adventist Academy. Those who knew him there said he was always full of fun-a great friend.  While at Oak Park, he met and fell in love with Jane Varnum –the Valedictorian of their graduating class of 1943.  She must have had a positive effect on him, for he asked her to marry him and on June 4, 1944, they married in Marshalltown, IA.  And lived for the first 13 years of their marriage in Sioux Rapids.  WWII was raging then and Wayne wished to be a part of it, but his expertise was needed on the farm and so he worked as a farmer, raising crops and cattle. His father, Elmer, had a thriving potato business—which by the way—was how he paid for the children’s tuition at OPA.  Wayne and Elmer were fondly known as “Potato Hanson and Son.” 

     In 1960 Wayne and Jane and their four children, Dennis, Kathy, Carol, and Susan moved from Sioux Rapids to the farm in Webb.  Bruce, their last child was born there that September.  Life on the farm was busy and productive—full of laughter and work, but was forever marred when the oldest son, Dennis, died in a farm tractor accident in 1962. With God’s grace the family moved through the tragedy, but Dennis was never far from their hearts.

     Besides farming, Wayne enjoyed farming, his wife and children, fishing in Minnesota, family vacations, and wintering in Texas. He was a member of Seventh- day Adventist Church in Spencer. Wayne passed away on Monday, March 19, 2018 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Home at the age of 92. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Jane; one son, Dennis; four sisters, Ruth Ledington, Violet Chase, June Mason, and Carol Johnson; and one brother, Kenneth Mansfield. Left to cherish his memory are his four children, Kathy (Gary) Bollinger of Lincoln, NE, Carol (Warren) Toay of Jud, ND, Sue (Bryan) Harris of Redmond, WA, and Bruce (Tammy) Hanson of Webb, IA; 7 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.

     Now he rests and await his Savior’s return.

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