HANSON, Merle Arthur 1918-2004

HANSON, THORVALDSEN, OLSON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/15/2009 at 18:47:18

OSAGE, IOWA — Merle Arthur Hanson, 85, of Osage, died Tuesday (Jan. 20, 2004) at the Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

Merle was born Sept. 22, 1918, at Inwood, Iowa, the son of Fred B. and Anna (Thorvaldsen) Hanson. They moved to Logan, Iowa, in 1924, where Merle graduated from high school in 1936. He then moved with his family to Granger, Iowa.

He attended Iowa State University for three years. He was drafted by the U.S. Army in January 1942. He received his training and commission at Fort Knox, Ky., and as 2nd Lt. was assigned to the 2nd Armored Division.

Merle served 34 months in North Africa, Sicily and Central Europe. He was awarded six Battle Stars, two Bronze Stars, and one Arrowhead for the Invasion of Sicily. He was given the Belgium Fourragare and Presidential Unit Citations. He was also involved in Invasion of France on “D-Day Plus 3”, and was given the French Liberty Normandy Medal. He was released from active duty in January 1946. Merle served in the Army Reserves for 25 years, attaining the rank of Lt. Col. He recently received a Certificate of Liberation of France. After the war, Merle at-tended South Dakota State College, where he received his degree in agriculture in 1947.

He married Hazel Olson on Aug. 30, 1947, at Inwood. Merle worked at the Abbott Laboratories in North Chicago, Ill., for two years. They then moved to Osage, where he farmed for 18 years.

He worked at White Farm in Charles City as a chemist-ry lab technician until his retirement in 1985.

Merle served on many boards and committees at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Osage, including the Scholarship Committee for a number of years. He also taught Sunday School and was Sunday School Superintendent.

He was active in Farm Bureau work, was a member of the Osage V.F.W., Osage American Legion, and the Sons of Norway, where he held various offices. He followed many sports, receiving a plaque in 1978 for “Outstanding Moral and Spiritual Support” he had displayed towards athletes. Merle was an avid stamp collector since 1932.

He loved gardening and the outdoors, including bird watching. He was an avid reader of world news and sports. He treasured his faith in Christ and his family.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Osage, with the Rev. Dennis Hanson and the Rev. Roy Ott officiating andflag presentation by Osage American Legion Post #278. Interment will be at noon on Monday, Jan. 26, at the Richland Cemetery at Inwood.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage and will continue one hour before the service on Saturday at the church.

Memorials may be given to Our Savior’s Scholarship Fund, Bridges Mentoring Program, Our Savior’s Youth Parish Education or the charity of the donor’s choice.

He is survived by his wife, Hazel Hanson, of Osage; three children, Carlene Hanson and son, Tyson, of Clearfield, Utah, Kevin Hanson and his wife, Debra, and son, Skyler, of Arlington, Texas, and Kerry Hanson and his wife, Julie and sons, Dan and Barrett of Mansfield, Texas; one brother, Virgil Hanson and his wife, Garnet, of Houston, Texas; three nieces; and one nephew.

He was preceded by his parents; and one brother, Delmar Hanson.

Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, (641) 732-3706.

[Mason City Globe Gazette]