James L. "Country Jim" Hansen 1939 - 2024

RUTJENS, HANSEN, HAHN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/25/2024 at 12:57:55

Sioux City Journal
18 April 2024

James L. "Country Jim" Hansen

March 14, 1939 - April 15, 2024

PIERCE - Funeral service for James L. "Country Jim" Hansen, 85 of Sioux City formerly of Crofton, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 19, 2024 at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pierce. Father Pat McLaughlin will be officiating the service. Interment will be held at the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, rural Pierce. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, also at St. Joseph's Catholic Church with a Wake Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Military rites will be conducted by the Tomek-Otto Post #72 of Pierce and the United States Army Honor Guard. Jim entered eternal rest on Monday, April 15, 2024 at Unity Point/St. Luke's Hospital in Sioux City, IA. Stonacek Memorial Chapel in Pierce is in charge of the arrangements.

Facing the challenge of life's many trials and tribulations, (conquering many), given to James L. Hansen, born March 14, 1939, to Edwin and Mildred (Rutjens) Hansen, the oldest of four children. He was born on a farm north of Tilden, Nebraska, he was baptized and confirmed at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, in Tilden, Nebraska. Jim attended country schools till 1950 when the family moved to Neligh, Nebraska. The family then moved to the Hansen Family farm in 1954 and he graduated from Neligh High School in 1957.

Jim worked for his uncle in the following two winters learning the manufacturing business and did summer jobs for local farmers till entering the Army in 1959. After his basic and advanced training, he was stationed in the Washington D.C. area as a personnel specialist. Earned Top Secret Security Clearance, and served on the White House Security Staff. He was instrument in the selection of the first group of men to go Vietnam, (MAAG-Military Assistant Advisory Group) and was honorably discharged in 1965.

On June 2, 1962 Jim married Berniece M. Hahn at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pierce and to this union two children were born daughter Pamala Kay (deceased) and son Lynn. Jim supported his family working on construction - building commercial buildings and erecting grain bins. His pride and joy, the building of once Double "K" restaurant in Norfolk.

Jim graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1970 with a B.S.B.A. with a major In Economics. He went to Chief Industries as Accounting- Administrator, and there developed a Production and Inventory control system. L & L insulations was his next stop as plant manager in Des Moines, Ia. He was later named controller at Middle State Mfg, in Columbus, prior to forming American Industries in 1979.

American Industries was a small manufacturing plant making aeration equipment and a construction division till 1983. Some of his equipment went as far as Saudi Arabia. Banks failing forced closure and he went Morgen Mfg. in Yankton as purchasing agent for the next eighteen years. Jim joined Riesberg Law firm on a part time basis, preparing tax returns for the next 27 years. During this same period of time he developed, Country Jim's: Storing campers, Boat maintenance, adding a Convenience store to supplement the storage and continued accounting and tax returns until April, 2011.

Jim was a past Registered Hypnotherapist with American Guild of Hypnotherapists, held a Brokers Real Estate License in Nebraska and South Dakota, served on a local school board and a local township board, two different planning and zoning boards, member of the American Production and Inventory Control Society. He was a life member of the American Legion, belonged to the Order of United Commercial Travelers of America, was active in the Kiwanis Club and the Jaycees, (Was first runner for the Outstanding Young Man of the Year-Award-1973) and taught Management at Ankeny, Ia. Jr. College. Jim was awarded a patent for an aeration device and had two others pending. He did find time to spend hunting and fishing, as well as bowling, basketball, softball, and flying the Cessna 172 Aircraft. Off course his family was his pride and joy and then the grand kids had grandpa to listen to his tales of adventure and admire his toy tractor collection, gun, and his fishing equipment. His quick wit, unending quest of a good joke, or the opportunity to help someone, made him a pleasure to be around.

He is survived by his wife Berniece, son Lynn (Mary) Hansen, grandchildren Spencer, Ian, & Bella, sister Janet Carl, brother Larry (Barbara) Hansen, and many cousins, nephews, and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents Edwin and Mildred Hansen, daughter Pamala K. Insigner, sister & brother-in-law Joyce and George Vessels, and brother-in-law Marvin Carl.

Organist will be LaRee Gubbels, Duet by Rick and Cheryl Higgins, and St. Joseph's Church Choir will be singing. Casket bearers will be Ed Arens, Robert Hahn, Dennis Hahn, Glenn Hahn, Don Rutjens, Jerry Rutjens, Tom Rutjens and Steve Rutjens. Condolences may be expressed to the family on-line at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com.