Wayne Donald Hanson

Wayne Donald Hanson, Age 99 passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 in the Cedar Valley Hospice Home surrounded by his family

Wayne was born, February 9, 1926 on their farm near Thor, Iowa, the first son of John Oliver and Ruth Caroline (Nelson) Hanson.  He was joined 11 month later by a brother John Junior and 3 years later by a sister Doris Ann.  Since the three of them were so close together in age they played on the farm and were like the Three Musketeers.  Eight years later, they were joined by a younger sister, Loretta Ruth.  Wayne grew up on the farm near Thor and attended Norway Township Country school and graduated from Thor High School in 1943.  His was one of the last classes to graduate in Thor.  World War II happened soon after he graduated and he was drafted for service but was sent home from his physical due to "flat feet"   He helped on the farm and ran a service station in Thor.  He also played Slow Pitch Softball.  He met Rosemary Koestner at a Softball game in Thor.  He played Slow Pitch Softball until he was in his 50s and ended his career with a Grand Slam Homerun.

Wayne married Rosemary on April 15, 1951 at the Ullensvang Lutheran Church in Thor, Iowa.  They moved to a farm near Duncombe, Iowa that had been owned by Rosemary's family since 1894.  He farmed with his two brothers-in-law, Robert Moenck and Donald Koestner, retiring in 1988.  Wayne and Rosemary were the parents of three children, Joan Laurice, Dennis Wayne and Kathryn Renee.  Wayne and Rosemary were honored to receive a Century Farm award in 1994.  He moved off of the farm into Duncombe in 2009 and moved to NewAldaya Lifescapes in Cedar Falls in 2013.

Wayne enjoyed life and was always a farmer at heart.  He has continued to garden every year and enjoys giving his produce away to others at New Aldaya.  He was interviewed by KWWL television in the garden a few years ago.  He told them he was Santa Claus because he "Hoes, Hoes, Hoes"   Wayne is a friend to everyone and can talk to anyone.  During his life he enjoyed fishing and has caught many fish.  He was on the Board of the Vincent, Iowa Coop when it merged to form NEW Coop in 1973.  At that time the Coop had two members and after 52 years they now have 83 member coops.  The vision of the board from 1973 started this huge enterprise.  Dad was honored at their 50th anniversary celebration in 2023,

Wayne has always loved his Lord.  He was baptized, confirmed and married at Ullensvang Lutheran Church in Thor, Iowa.  Many of his relatives are buried at East Ullensvang cemetery and Wayne continued to honor his family and the Pastor who confirmed him by placing crosses on their stones every Memorial Day.  When Wayne's children were small they transferred membership to St Olaf Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge.  He was active at church, served on the church council and was an Usher for many years.  He also helped made lefse and potato cakes for the Church's Scandiafest.  After moving to Cedar Falls, he was a regular in the Chapel and Bible Studies at New Aldaya Lifescapes and was a member of Nazareth Lutheran Church

Family was important to Wayne.  When the children were small, Sundays were spent with family.  Farming within a Mile of his two brothers-in-law led to many family meals and gatherings and much time was also spent with the Hanson family. When he became a Grandfather and Great-grandfather, he always enjoyed the time he could spend with the kids.  It was always fun to get together with Grandpa Wayne.  He still enjoyed playing softball with his great-grandchildren and would be found on the field batting and pitching to his family well into his 90s.  He will be remembered for his love of fishing, farming, softball, St. Louis Cardinal Baseball, meatballs and gravy, coconut cream pie, Lazy Daisy Cake, Lefse and Potato cakes.

Wayne is survived by his three children:  Joan (Gary) Lore of Nashua, Dennis (Dorothea) Hanson of Cedar Falls and Kathryn (Marlin) Geisler of Gowrie.  He has 9 Grandchildren, Ann (Brandon) Harvey, Sara (Tim) Barnard, Jeanne (John) Patterson, Jonathan (Merissa) Lore, Katherine (Chris) Gehrz, Kristen (Paul) Kolsrud, Daniel (Aimee) Hanson, Michael (Kristin) Geisler and Kimberly Geisler.  There are 21 great-grandchildren:  Benny, Clayton, Sawyer, Josh,  Charlotte, Matt, Nathan, Mickayla, Loralee, Thomas, Gareden, Lakyn, Olin, Isaiah, Lena, Maxwell, Samuel, Emily, Micah, Eli and Logan. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary in 2017, his parents, John and Ruth, his brother John (Ines) and sisters Doris (Lee ) Catalano, Loretta (Richard) Grebner and a niece, Diane Hanson.  He was also preceded in death by his in-laws, George and Sylvia Koestner, and Rosemary's siblings, Don (Virginia) Koestner and Mavis (Robert) Moenck.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 10, 2026 in the chapel at New Aldaya Lifescapes at 10:00 with visitation 1 hour before services.  Interment will be at Colfax Township Cemetery near Vincent, Iowa.

The family would like to extend sincere thank you's to the staff at NewAldaya Lifescapes and Cedar Valley Hospice for the wonderful care dad has received from them.