A funeral service for Verne Hansen of Milford was held on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Harbor of Joy Lutheran Church in Milford. Burial was at Milford Cemetery.
Verne LeRoy Hansen, 101 & 4 months, was born October 6, 1920, in Royal, Iowa, to Jens Christian Hansen & Metha Marie (Christensen) Hansen. Verne was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Royal, Iowa, and then confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church in Spencer.
As a young boy he would spend early mornings trapping on his way to school. He attended rural schools in Clay County. He graduated from Spencer High School in 1941. He enjoyed playing football and was the kicker all four years. He will always be remembered as the man with the educated toe. In state track he threw the Javelin for a school record that still stands today. He was active in FFA and 4-H during his high school years.
Verne joined the Navy the day after Pearl Harbor. He served three years in Trinidad. He was a machinist first class and worked on small crafts in the harbor that carried depth charges. He ended his service in Okinawa in 1945 when the war ended.
He married the Love of His life, Kathryn Marie Martin on December 26th, 1945. In the Spring of 1946 he started farming and enjoyed farming for 37 years. He liked to compete in county yield contests. He liked having FFA corn yield plots on his farm comparing the yields of the different varieties of corn. He was a Pioneer Seeds salesman where he enjoyed visiting with the neighbors.
Verne enjoyed league bowling many years. He started bowling in Milford where they had pin setters. He had the first 300 game bowled at the 20th Century Lanes in Spencer, Iowa. He was president of the 300 League at the 20th Century Lanes in Spencer many years. He bowled 34 times in State and National tournaments. He also enjoyed golfing many courses with 3 hole in ones. The last one at age 91.
He was very dedicated to his faith. He helped pay for the stained glass windows at both First Lutheran & Harbor of Joy. He and Kate made quilts for the Lutheran Camp Okoboji Quilt Auction many years. He remembered attending the camp in the same location as today at the age of 8.
Verne & Kate moved to Wahpeton on West Lake Okoboji after retiring from the farm and spent many winters at Tropic Star Park in Pharr, Tx where they enjoyed square dancing, bowling & golf.
He Loved His family! Children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He looked forward to spending time with them playing games and doing crafts. It was fun for him to know the great grandchildren. He cross stitched each great grandchild a wall hanging with their birth information along with many pictures of Jesus for the other family members.
Verne passed away peacefully February 7, 2022, at the Accura Care Center in Milford.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Kathryn “Kate” Martin Hansen, mother Metha Christensen Hansen, father Jens Hansen, grandfather Paul Christensen, grandmother Anna Christensen, infant grandson, Corey Hansen, daughter-in-law Shirley Hansen, sister Anne Nitzsche & brother-in-law Floyd Nitzsche.
Verne was survived by his children, Nancy Zink (Charles) of Brookings, South Dakota; Gary Hansen of Spirit Lake, and Kenneth Hansen (Julie) of Milford; 7 grandchildren, Tamara Even (Todd), Pamela Crain (Jeff) Melanie Lunn (Cory), Jennifer Ryker (Jacob), Jamie Nalos (Sheldon), Brian Hansen (Rebecca), and Kristin Dennis (Jonathan); 22 great grandchildren, 5 step great grandchildren, nieces and many friends.
Turner Jenness Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.