Steve Hanson, 72

Steve Hanson, 72, of Waverly and formerly of Hampton, passed away at his home in Wavery on Friday, August 26, 2022. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 1, 2022 at the United Methodist Church in Hampton with burial in the Hampton Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at the Sietsema-Atkinson Funeral Home in Hampton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Cedar Valley Hospice or the Hope Lodge in Iowa City.

Stephen Cole Hanson was born on March 31, 1950 in Forest City, Iowa to Glen and Dorothy (Cole) Hanson. He graduated from Forest City High School in 1969 and then attended Universal trade school. Following school, Steve enlisted in the United States Army in 1970 where he served for two years. He then joined the National Guard for three years.

On June 30, 1972, Steve was united in marriage to Merle Lynn Butt in Hampton. They were married until Lynn passed away in 2000. On July 4, 2004, Steve was united in marriage to Mary Munson.

Steve worked for Concrete Inc. from 1972 until he retired in 2016. He also was the janitor of the Hampton United Methodist church for 10 years with his wife Lynn. He also served as a church youth leader, taught preschool and Sunday School.

Steve was diagnosed with leukemia in January 2021. He underwent many rounds of chemo before he went in the hospital on Dec. 21.  December 29 he received a stem cell transplant from his son Andrew.  At the time of his death he was leukemia free but died from complications related to his transplant.  He is indebted to the nurses at University of Iowa hospital where he spent 191 days. 

Steve was a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, chapter 790 and the American Legion Riders, post 183. He was also a member of the Methodist Men’s Club and the Honor Guard. Steve enjoyed cooking, raising flowers and traveling on his Spyder motorcycle. He could take any leftover and make it into a gourmet dish that could never be duplicated. Last summer he enjoyed the many friends he made at his cabin in Minnesota. 

Steve is survived by his wife Mary of Waverly, children Chad Hanson of Hampton, Andrew Hanson of Pasadena, CA, Steve Hanson of Hampton and Kurtis Munson of Shell Rock, eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild, sisters Jane (Jerry) Whitehurst and Sue (Curtis) Strampe and many nieces and nephews and a bonus daughter, Calley Steere, Plainfield. Abe Born was the brother he never had and Steve enjoyed his time in Florida with him!

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lynn, granddaughter Abby Munson, step-mom Norma and sister Rose Miller.