Wayne Delbert Hansen

Wayne Delbert Hansen, the son of Emil Carl and Hazel Caroline (Hilsabeck) Hansen, was born January 22, 1932, at his parents’ home northwest of Audubon, Iowa and died September 13, 2015, at the Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison, Iowa at the age of 83 years, 7 months, and 21 days.
Wayne was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. He attended the Gray Consolidated Schools in Gray, Iowa through his sophomore year in high school then completed high school at the Audubon High School graduating with the High School Class of 1951. Wayne then helped operate the family farm.
On February 24, 1952, he was united in marriage to Norma Ellen Larsen at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. They were the parents of six children. Wayne farmed initially, and on October 1, 1952, he was inducted into the U.S. Army. During his tour of duty he served in Korea and Japan. Wayne was honorably discharged on July 1, 1954, and returned to the Audubon area and resumed farming. In 1988 they moved to Audubon. Wayne continued to farm until he retired in 1997. Wayne and Norma enjoyed their home in Audubon then moved to Denison in December of 2014.
Wayne was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. He taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and served on the church council. Soil conservation was very important to Wayne. He served for many years on the Audubon County Conservation Board. He was a member of a delegation which traveled to the Ukraine to assist farmers in everything from planting crops to weed control. Wayne was a long time member of the Audubon County Hospital Board. He was a member of the Audubon Lions Club, Audubon Post No. 120, American Legion and Dale Christensen Post No. 4119, VFW, Audubon. Wayne was blessed with a tremendous singing voice and was always willing to share his talent for many occasions. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, fishing, and spending time at the lake.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Marcia Hansen, Amy and husband Ivan Christensen, Harry Larsen, Burl “Bucky” Larsen, and LeRoy Merk.
Survivors include his wife Norma Hansen of Denison, Iowa; his children Randy Hansen and wife Alix Korey of Palm Springs, California, Sherry and husband Rick Robbs of Denison, Iowa, Hugh and wife Lori Hansen of Pacific Junction, Iowa, Karla Kauffman and husband Cleve Towne of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Ann Hansen of New York City, New York, and Patti and husband Perry Bekkerus of Denison, Iowa; his grandchildren April and husband Baron Stare of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Emily and husband Jon Sell of Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania, Scott Vorm of Waukee, Iowa, Nikki Hansen of Papillion, Nebraska, Carrie and husband Dustin Champlin of Glenwood, Iowa, Amanda Bachman of Tabor, Iowa, Megan Bachman of Carter Lake, Iowa, Peter Bekkerus of Ames, Iowa, Paula Bekkerus and Parker Bekkerus both of Denison, Iowa, Kris and wife Kate Kauffman of Bloomington, Minnesota, and Colin and wife Michelle Towne of Minneapolis, Minnesota; 11 great grandchildren; his brother Larry and wife Sharon Hansen of Atlanta, Georgia; his sister-in-law Sharlene Merk of Audubon, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Doug Opp on Thursday, September 17, 2015, at 10:30 A.M. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. The honorary casket bearers will be April Stare, Emily Sell, Nikki Hansen, Carrie Champlin, Amanda Bachman, Megan Bachman, Paula Bekkerus, Parker Bekkerus, and Trey Hansen. The casket bearers will be Scott Vorm, Kris Kauffman, Colin Towne, Peter Bekkerus, Jon Sell, Dustin Champlin, and Baron Stare. The family will meet with friends Wednesday evening at 5:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa.