Hanna, Mary M. (1913-2008)

HANNA, MELSON, OLERICH, SNELL, SANTOS, HAWKINS

Posted By: Colleen J. Ossman (email)
Date: 9/10/2008 at 15:25:46

(Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA, 9 September 2008)

Mary M. Hanna, 94, formerly of Webster City, passed away Saturday, September 6, 2008 at the Lutheran Home in Perry. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday September 11 at Asbury United Methodist Church in Webster City with interment at Graceland Cemetery, Webster City. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, September 10 at Foster Funeral Home in Webster City.

Mary Margaret Melson was born to Randall and Fern Melson on October 17, 1913 in Garfield Township, Pocahontas County and grew up on Highland Farm outside of Bradgate. She graduated from Rolfe High School in 1930 and Morningside College in 1934. During her school years she spent her summers working as a waitress in Estes Park, CO and was Secretary to the Dean of Women at Morningside College.

Mary taught English and Latin at Milford for 3 years, and was Principal of Ankeny High School for one year. In 1938 she married John Hanna. They moved to Webster City in 1941 where John farmed.

While in Webster City Mary taught high school English at Blairsburg from 1957-1959, and American Literature at Webster City High School from 1960-1964. After the death of her husband, she enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, receiving her Masters of Library Science degree in 1966. She was Director of Kendall Young Library, Webster City from 1966-1979.

She served on the Hamilton County Board of Education and on the Webster City Community School Board for two terms. With continuing interest in education, she spent two winter terms as a volunteer librarian at Rust College, Holly Springs, MS. In later years, she volunteered as a teacher in the Adult Literacy Program sponsored by Webster City Community College.

She was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, Quill Club, Travel Club, League of Woman Voters, and PEO. She enjoyed traveling, Iowa history, and writing.

In 2000 she moved to the Des Moines area to be near her family. She was preceded in death by her parents Randall and Fern Melson, brothers, Robert Melson, Richard Melson, sister Elizabeth Melson, husband, John, and infant daughter Cynthia Anne. She will be missed by her sister, Barbara Olerich, Rolfe, son, Frank Hanna (Joan) Urbandale, Carolyn Snell (Gary) Urbandale, grandchildren, Cynthia Santos (Efren) Marina Del Rey, CA, Diana Hawkins (Tim) Ankeny, great-grandchildren Blaine and Ella Hawkins, Amelia Santos.

Hamilton Obituaries maintained by Lynn McCleary.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen