Rodney Gene Hansen, 79, of Ames passed away on January 14, 2014 at Arbor Springs in West Des Moines, Iowa. A gathering of friends and family will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2014, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa, followed by a Masonic Service at 7:00 p.m. A celebration of life funeral service will take place at Memorial Lutheran Church, 701 11th Street, Nevada, Iowa at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2014.
Rodney was born near Roland, Iowa on August 27, 1934 to Ingvald and Jerene (Hovde) Hansen. Rodney graduated from Milford Township School in 1952 and then attended college at AIB in Des Moines. He was a member of the Iowa Air National Guard and farmed near Martensdale before relocating to Winthrop, MN in 1967. Rodney continued to farm near Winthrop and was an active member of Bernadotte Lutheran Church. Rodney married Sue (Peterson) Pierce in Nevada on February 25, 1984. The couple continued to farm near Winthrop until 1991 when they moved to Ames. Rodney sold MoorMan's feed in the Ames area and worked at C and K Heating and Cooling prior to his retirement.
Rodney was a member of the Sibley Masonic Lodge #209 A.F. & A.M., as well as the Order of the Eastern Star in Winthrop, MN. After moving to Ames, he joined Memorial Lutheran Church in Nevada, was active in Sons of Norway and was a Za-Ga-Zig Shriner with the Story County Shrine Club. Rodney was an avid Iowa State Cyclone fan and enjoyed time with family, summers at Ten Mile Lake and winters with friends in Mesa, AZ.
Rodney is survived by his wife, Sue; daughter, Melissa (Jason) Hansen of Minneapolis, MN; son, Mark (Sheila) Hansen of Urbandale; grandchildren, Derek Zollner, Miranda Evans, Aaron Koethe, and Allysa Koethe; great-grandson, Sig Evans; step-son, Keith Pierce of Colo; step-daughter, Kristi (Mark) Coughenour of Maxwell; grandchildren, Michelle Pierce, TJ Coughenour, and Amanda Sharp; brother, Larry (Rhonda) Hansen of Roland, and brother-in-laws, Bob Collins of Colo and Dick Roberts of Sedona, AZ; as well as cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sisters Alice Roberts and Janet Collins.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Memorial Lutheran Church, 701 11th Street, Nevada, Iowa 50201 or the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Iowa Chapter, 1730 28th Street, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266.
Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
My Love and blessings to Sue and the family. Rodney was so faithful in attending the Reunions. He will be missed by his schoolmates as well as his beloved family.
Growing up in Milford Twp,we were the first neighbor to the south of the Invald Hansen family, Rodney's Dad. My first remembrance of
Rodney, other than as one of the big kids at school and a star of the Milford athletic teams, was when my Dad got his tractor stuck in a mud hole one spring and he called Invald, Rodney's Dad. He sent Rodney down to help, I don't recall if Rodney drove one of his Dad's tractors down or he used a second tractor of my Dad's; but it was an adventure for me, at about 9 years of age, to watch them work and pull the old Oliver out of the mud hole with a number of chains. So, while he was there, my Dad had him help move an elevator. They didn't let the thing down to the ground and moved it to another crib-- It was suspenseful to watch, and they didn't upset it.
He made a good impression on me as a guy who knew how to do things and quickly learn and I never changed my mind.
Sue and family,
Our condolences are with each of you in the loss of Rodney. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Rodney was a Champion Iowa Plowman in his farming years and usually attended our Milford Reunions and was a very proud Milfordite. We will miss his presence.
To the entire Hansen family we express are deepest sympathy in the loss of your father Rodney. I only had the privaledge of visiting with Rodney a few times but he was so very proud of his children when he shared with me! I used to see him in the mornings at Hy-Vee Deli having coffee with friends. I always admired his attitude on life and his ever friendly and warm smile. Our Thoughts and our prayers are with you all during this time!
So sorry to hear of Rodney's passing. Our prayers are with Sue and family as they journey through this difficult time.
Visitation
Ames, IA 50010
Service
Nevada, Iowa 50201
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