Richard Hanson

Richard Joseph Hanson was born March 27, 1925, to Hans and Mary (Emge) Hanson in Dunlap, Iowa. He attended country school and graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School. By the time Dick was 12 years old, he was playing in the Hanson Brothers' Band and played for many dances. Dick moved to California and worked for a telegraph company and drove a delivery truck. He then moved back to Dunlap to farm. Dick married Shirley Burton on June 9, 1951, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Shirley started singing and playing with the Hanson Band and eventually their son Kenny was a member too. Shirley died in 1991. Dick and Kenny continued to play with the band until 1993. Dick married Eileen McGinn on April 9, 1994, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

Dick was a member of St. Patrick's Church and the Knights of Columbus. He served on the township election board and always gave blood at the blood drives. Dick was devoted to his family, farming, and gardening. He loved music and enjoyed writing poetry. He also enjoyed bowling and hunting.

Dick died on Saturday, September 1, 2007, at the Dunlap Nursing and Rehab Center in Dunlap, Iowa at the age of 82 years, five months, and five days.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Shirley; two sons, Marc and Roger; brother, Bernard Hanson; and two sisters, Marie Ulmer and Lillian Dai. He is survived by his wife, Eileen of Dunlap, Iowa; four children, Janette (Allan) Anderson of Villisca, Iowa, Joann Buss of Omaha, Nebraska, Judy (Doug) Nelson of Ankeny, Iowa, Kenny (Kathy) Hanson of Omaha, Nebraska; eight grandchildren; one great grandson; four brothers, Howard (Frances) Hanson of Omaha, Nebraska, Paul Hanson of Dunlap, Iowa, Harold (Peggy) Hanson of Kansas City, Missouri, Danny Hanson of Honey Creek, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial
10:30 am Friday, September 7, 2007
St. Patrick's Catholic Church
Dunlap, Iowa

Celebrant
Rev. Paul Strittmatter, SJ

Musicians
Marilyn Grote
Ann Gredys

Pall Bearers
Aaron Hoegh, Marcus Hoegh
Mitchell Hoegh, Nolan Nelson
Jordan Nelson, Kaleb Buss
Jim Spangler

Final Resting Place
Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Dunlap, Iowa