Laverne Harold Hansen

LaVerne Harold Hansen, the son of Bernhard and Petra (Rasmussen) Hansen, was born on October 6, 1935, in Jacksonville, Iowa. He was raised in Jacksonville, attended Jackson #5 school, and graduated from Harlan (Iowa) High School. As a boy, he helped his father in the family business, Jacksonville Hardware, and continued working there after he graduated from high school. He worked in the business until he was drafted into the Army, and when he returned from the service in 1960, he purchased Jacksonville Hardware from his father. On September 2, 1962, LaVerne married Marlene Mae Petersen at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Jacksonville. LaVerne later sold the family business to his son, Layne, and kept working with his son to serve customers.

LaVerne was a baptized and confirmed member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, where he served as a trustee and usher. He enjoyed camping, traveling to local festivities, and working with customers in the three-generation family business.

LaVerne H. Hansen died on Friday, October 7, 2005, at Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, Iowa, at the age of 70 years and 1 day.

Preceding LaVerne in death were his parents. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Marlene Hansen of Jacksonville, Iowa; one son, Layne (Kristy) Hansen of Jacksonville, Iowa; two daughters, Lisa (Gordon) Frank of Elkhorn, Nebraska, and Libby (Bill) Shelton of Minden, Iowa; his mother-in-law, Marjorie Petersen of Kimballton, Iowa; one sister, Norma Opperman of Ralston, Nebraska; three grandchildren, Ben Hansen and Tony Hansen, both of Jacksonville, Iowa, and Connor Frank of Elkhorn, Nebraska; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Monday, October 10, 2005, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Iowa, with Pastor Ron Rasmussen officiating. Peggy Doonan served as the organist. Casket bearers were Todd Petersen, Bill Allen, Mark Rasmussen, Nate Larsen, Arlan Christensen, and Gary Albertus. Burial was in the Jacksonville Cemetery in Jacksonville, Iowa, with presentation of the flag by the Shelby County VFW #941. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan was in charge of the arrangements.