OBITUARY: Merle Arthur Hanson, 1918-2004, Mitchell County, Iowa

[Adapted from:  Mitchell County Press-News  online - Posted Jan. 28, 2004]
                           


                           Merle Arthur Hanson

Funeral services for Merle Arthur Hanson, age 85, of Osage, Iowa, were
held at Saturday, Jan. 24, 2004 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Osage
with Rev. Dennis Hanson and Rev. Roy Ott officiating, with flag presentation
by Osage American Legion Post 278. Interment was Monday, January 26 at the
Richland Cemetery at Inwood, Iowa. Merle died Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2004 at
the Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Osage.

Merle was born Sept. 22, 1918 at Inwood, Iowa, the son of Fred B. and Anna
(Thorvaldsen) Hanson. They moved to Logan, Iowa, in 1924, where Merle
graduated from in 1936. He then moved with his family to Granger, Iowa.
He attended Iowa State University for three years. He was drafted in
to the U.S. Army in January of 1942. He received his training and
commission at Fort Knox, Kentucky, as 2nd Lieutenant assigned to the
2nd Armored Division. Merle then served 34 months overseas in North
Africa, Sicily and Central Europe. He was awarded six Battle Stars,
two Bronze Stars, one Arrowhead for Invasion of Sicily on D-Day. He
was given Belgium Fourragare and Presidential Unit Citations. He was
also involved in Invasion in France on "D-Day Plus - 3", and was given
the French Liberty Normandy Medal. He was released from active duty in
January of 1946. Merle then served in the Army Reserves for 25 years,
attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He recently received a
Certificate of Liberation of France. After the war, Merle attended
South Dakota State College, where he received his degree in agriculture
in 1947.

He married Hazel Olson on August 30, 1947 at Inwood, Iowa. Merle worked
at the Abbott Laboratories in North Chicago, Illinois, for two years.
They then moved to Osage where he farmed for 18 years. He worked at
White Farm in Charles City as a Chemistry Lab Technician until his
retirement in 1985. Merle served on many boards and committees at Our
Savior's Lutheran Church in Osage including the Scholarship Committee
for a number of years. He also taught Sunday School and was Sunday
School Superintendent. He was active in Farm Bureau work, was a member
of Osage V.F.W., Osage American Legion, and the Sons of Norway, where
he held various offices. He followed many sports, receiving a plaque
in 1978 for "Outstanding Moral and Spiritual Support" he had displayed
towards athletes. Merle was an avid stamp collector since 1932.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Delmar Hanson.

Merle is survived by his wife Hazel Hanson of Osage; three children,
Carlene Hanson and son Tyson of Clearfield, Utah, Kevin Hanson and his
wife Debra and son Skyler of Arlington, Texas, Kerry Hanson and his
wife Julie and sons Dane and Barrett of Mansfield, Texas; a brother
Virgil Hanson and his wife Garnet of Houston, Texas; three nieces and
one nephew.

Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, (641) 732-3706, was in charge of
arrangements.


     Copyright 2004, K.L. Kittleson