Howard Franklin Hansen

Howard Franklin Hansen, the son of Nels and Caroline (Olsen) Hansen, was born November 3, 1920, on his parents’ farm one mile west of Exira, Iowa and died February 5, 2016, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 95 years, 3 months, and 2 days. Howard was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa. He attended rural schools through the 8th grade and then helped operate the family farm.
On March 8, 1941, he was united in marriage to Gladys Evelyn Olsen in Shenandoah, Iowa. Two sons Gary and Thomas were born to this union. Howard was employed at the Exira Creamery for several years. He then started farming and rented several farms in the area. Later he purchased a milk route which he operated until he sold it in the early 1960’s. Howard continued to farm and then purchased land in Audubon County where he grew row crops and raised livestock until he retired. Howard and Gladys moved to Exira where they spent their loving days together. Gladys died January 8, 2012, and Howard moved into the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa in May of 2013.
Howard was a member of the Brayton Lutheran Church. He enjoyed fishing and also enjoyed spending time with his family-- especially the grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Preceding him in death in addition to his wife Gladys: his great grandson Samuel Paul Hansen; his great granddaughter Emma Rose Hansen; his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Nels and Claudine Olsen; his brothers and sisters: Leonard and wife Lilly Hansen, Harold Hansen, Hazel and husband Vernon Knudsen, Helen and husband Lee Clemmensen, and Lucille and husband Juhl Bengaard; and his sister-in-law Alice and husband Arlo Elmquist.
Survivors include his sons Gary and wife Max Hansen of Exira, Iowa and Thomas and wife Marlys Hansen of Norwalk, Iowa; his grandchildren Greg and wife Kelli Hansen of Clive, Iowa, Stacy Hansen and husband Derek Claussen of Des Moines, Iowa, Jill and husband Shawn Charles of Chandler, Arizona, Kyle and wife Kelly Hansen and Neil and wife Kristy Hansen all of Norwalk, Iowa and 12 great grandchildren; his sister-in-law Betty Clemmensen of Audubon, Iowa; nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. at the Brayton Lutheran Church in Brayton, Iowa. Interment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira, Iowa. The casket bearers will be Greg Hansen, Derek Claussen, Lincoln Claussen, Kyle Hansen, Neil Hansen, Jordan Hansen, Tanner Hansen, and Chris Jaminet. The family will meet with friends from 9:30 A.M. until the time of the service at the Brayton Lutheran Church in Brayton, Iowa.