Ernie Hansen

Funeral services will be held for Ernest Hansen of Dickens, Iowa, on Thursday, December 28th at the First Congregational Church, Spencer, Iowa, at 10:30 AM. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 PM on Wednesday, December 27 at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford with family present. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Spencer, Iowa. Ernest Hansen, Dickens, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away December 19th, 2017, at the Ruthven Care Center at the age of 92. Ernest LeRoy Hansen was born Nov. 30th, 1925, at home on the family farm to Peter and Nellie (Holmberg) Hansen. He graduated from Lake Center High School in 1943. While in high school, he enjoyed competing on successful baseball and basketball teams. 1944 brought his enlistment into the U.S. Navy. Through the end of World War II he served on ships assigned to the Pacific campaign in the Philippines, Japan, and Indo-China. Following his honorable discharge in July, 1946, Ernie returned to Iowa and began his life-long career in farming. On December 21, 1947, Ernie married Dorothy Flaharty. Striving together they worked hard, but their lives were filled with love and laughter. To this union three children were born: Lindell, (Barbara Beck) Marcia, (Dwain Jorgensen) and Steven (LaDonna Blunt). The farm has been a focal point of the Hansen family for three generations. In his early years, milking cows and raising chickens provided weekly spending money, while hogs, corn, and soybeans paid off the mortgage. With Steven now farming the "home place", the family was recognized as a Century Farm at the Iowa State Fair in 2011. Ernie enjoyed people. He especially liked being a teammate on the Langdon softball team in the summer and bowling in the winter. He had fun competing while maintaining a high level of sportsmanship. He loved to get together with friends and family for a cup of coffee or a game of Pinochle. Ernie was also a 4-H leader and a member of the Dickens VFW. Nothing made Ernie happier than his role as Grandfather/Great Grandfather. He enjoyed rocking the little ones and giving tractor rides around the farm. Ernest is survived by his three children and their spouses, 8 grandchildren (Shelley Hansen Boorn, Kristi Hansen Elder, Mark Hansen, Kimberly Jorgensen Cleary, Jason Jorgensen, Eric Hansen, Emily Hansen Ostert, and Ross Hansen), 19 great-grandchildren, one sister, Norma Drake, and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, wife Dorothy, brothers Louis, Edgar, Henry, and Charles (Bob), and sisters Mabel Carter, Clara Carter, and Alma Chase, one great-grandchild Owen Hansen, and special friend, Ruth Boyd. Ernest leaves a legacy focused on family, friends, and farm. Ernie believed in working hard to provide for his family and showed a quiet strength and a sense of loyalty and respect for others that will be continued on by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.