Norman B. Hanson, 83

Norman B. Hanson, 83, of Dows, passed away on Friday, February 2, 2024 at Franklin Country View in Hampton. 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at First Lutheran Church, 206 W Ellsworth Street in Dows, with Pastor Anita Nuetzman officiating. Burial will be in Otis Grove Cemetery, rural Dows.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM prior to services at the church on Wednesday. Lunch and fellowship will be before the funeral service.

Norman Bennett, son of Kenneth and Evelyn (Ingebritson) Hanson, was born on October 7, 1940 in rural Dows. He attended Dows Community Schools, where he participated in football and was active in FFA and local 4H club, serving as a livestock judge and winning the highest individual judge award at State. After graduating high school, Norman attended Ellsworth Community College where he received his associate’s degree in business. He later attended Iowa State University, when he met his future wife, Carol Blankenship.

Norman and Carol were united in marriage on August 24, 1963 in Eagle Grove. They moved back to the family farm near Dows to begin his lifelong farming career with his father, with his younger brother joining them later on.

Norman enjoyed helping his children with 4H livestock, showing sheep, cows, and chickens at the Franklin County Fair and the Iowa State Fair every summer. He served on the Franklin County Fair Board. Norman was also a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church in Dows.

Norman and Carol enjoyed going to the casino, a good meal, and time spent with their family. He also enjoyed playing the accordion.

Norman is survived by his daughter Chris (Jim) Ruger and their children Alyssa Ruger, Kelsey (John) Bothwell, and Zane (Nicole) Ruger and their children Scottie and Parker; daughter Sara (Ben) Kepler and their daughter Adalyn Kepler; daughter Lisa Gorder and her children Jacob Gorder and Carlie Gorder; and son John (Kerri) Hanson and their children Brent Hanson and his children Greyson and Boston, Ellie Hanson and her son Rhett, and Coy Hanson.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife Carol in 2013; infant sister Linda; and brothers Merrill Hanson and Neilan Hanson.