James Michael "Jim" Hassenger 1926-2011

HASSENGER HALEY BENDIXEN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 6/29/2011 at 21:48:00

Sioux City Journal
8 March 2011

SIOUX CITY -- James Michael "Jim" Hassenger, 84, of Sioux City died Friday, March 4, 2011, at Countryside Nursing Home of age-related illnesses.

A celebration of life services will be at a later date. Burial will be at a later date in Calvary Cemetery in the family plot. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brother Colonial Chapel.

Mr. Hassenger was born Dec. 9, 1926, in Sioux City, the first son of Ralph J. and Eva S. (Haley) Hassenger. He grew up in Sioux City and attended Blessed Sacrament Grade School and graduated from Trinity High School in 1944. After graduation, he entered the U.S. Navy and served as a hospital corpsman and midshipman until being discharged in 1946. Upon his discharge from the U.S. Navy, he returned to Sioux City and in the fall of that year, he attended Creighton University in Omaha. He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in biology in 1948, a pre-medical course. After a brief stint as an underwriter at Mutual of Omaha, he entered the family business in Sioux City in 1949. He worked with his father, Ralph J. Hassenger, and uncle, Leo M. Hassenger.

Most of Jim's business activities occurred with his brother, Tom. Their business ventures over the years included financial services (Citizens Loan and Thrift Co.), a new car dealership (Volkswagen), radio broadcasting (KBCM) and other endeavors including insurance agencies, real estate agencies, an aircraft sales business and a beverage distributorship, all in Sioux City. In 1990, he returned to the University of South Dakota and earned a masters of arts degree (M.A.) in educational psychology and counseling (EP&C) in 1993 at the age of 68. From that point he finished writing and publishing his first book with his brother, Tom, entitled Marriage Enhancement Guide: A Do-It-Yourself Marriage Counseling Manual.

Mr. Hassenger was well known as an aviator and aviation historian and he did deliver some History of Aviation in Sioux City talks to local groups. He was active over the years in numerous civic, social, business and youth-oriented organizations. Of some interest is the recognition he received by being included in the Marquis Publishing Company's Who's Who in America listing of the 110,000 persons of note across all fields of endeavor in the USA in their book from 2005 to 2009. He was also included in Marquis Companies Who's Who in the World book from 2006 to 2009, listing the 50,000 most influential persons in the world. He was also listed in the Manchester Publishing Company's Who's Who Among Professionals in Counseling and Development in the honors edition in 2006.

He was married to Joanne Clare Bendixen from Nov. 14, 1951, until 1984.

Survivors include Susan M. Hays Barr, Michael H. Hassenger, Timothy R. Hassenger, Juliana Flannery, Elizabeth Ann Mohan, Daniel J. Hassenger, and James A. Hassenger; 13 grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and his brother, Thomas R. Hassenger (wife, Carol).

He was preceded in death by his parents, both of whom died in 1983.