Herb Hansen

Herb Hansen, 90, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at the Exira Care Center.

Harold Herbert was born on April 3, 1932, in Cass County, Iowa, the son of Carl H. and Ruby (Carlson) Hansen.  Herb lost his father at a young age and the men in the family included him in learning what life on the farm was all about.  His uncle Ralph, in particular, provided him with a wealth of knowledge and a good work ethic.  He attended Atlantic High School and moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to take a job at the railroad which he may or may not have lied about his age to get the job.  After deciding to return home he worked at various jobs around the Atlantic Community until enlisting in the United States Army in November of 1952.  While in the service he worked as a welder and was honorably discharged in September of 1954. 

On October 10, 1954, he was united in marriage to Dolores “Dee” Thomsen at the First United Presbyterian Church in Atlantic.  The couple enjoyed dancing, traveling, and many family boating trips to the Ozarks.  A lot of time they traveled with other couples and rarely did the trip end without a memorable story or you might call them mishaps.  Herb enjoyed spending time with his family doing tractor rides, going out to eat, hosting family picnics, and especially being together for the holidays.  Thanksgiving and Christmas always included oysters, and he always encouraged the kids and guests to give them a try. 

His introduction to farming and work ethic at an early age stuck and he returned to the farm after his time in the service planting row crops and raising cattle and hogs.  Herb liked the bottle calves but was also quick to get them pan trained.  He was well known in the neighborhood for planting the straightest rows of crops, Herb was very meticulous about his work.

He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and served as an usher and also volunteered in other capacities.  Herb also served on many FSA committees through the years.

When you went to visit Herb he insisted you never leave without filling your pockets with candy, his favorites being the strawberry hard candies or Werther’s Butterscotch discs.  He had a way with making friends, especially those taking care of him in his later years. His ability to sit in his recliner, hold his coffee cup and sleep so hard he was snoring was incredible especially when you add to it, he would chime in on a conversation that was being had in the room.  One time Dee was complaining of a paper cut that hadn’t healed to herself and out of his sleep he told her, “No matter how bad it hurts, don’t limp.”  Not only could he hold his coffee cup while he slept there wasn’t much, he did without it!

Herb is survived by his sons, Steve (Ann Vorthmann) Hansen of Oakland, Mark Hansen of Atlantic and Todd (Teresa Smith) Hansen of Atlantic; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Bonnie Ford of Evansville, IN; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Ruby Hansen; wife, Dolores “Dee” Hansen’ son, Jeffrey Hansen; daughter-in-law, Lynda Rhodes; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Arlene (Fred) Holtz, Lois Jean (Robert) Young, and brother-in-law, Wilson Ford.

Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 24, 2022, Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic.  Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Herb’s family and his arrangements.  Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.