65095_Ross Wayne_Hansen
Ross Wayne Hansen, 94, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, July 1, 2014.
Ross was born on June 5, 1920, in Thornton, to Charles Frederick and Grace (Miller) Hansen. He attended school in Thornton and graduated from Swaledale High School. Ross graduated from Chillicothe Business College, Chillicothe, Mo. He worked in Dallas, Washington, D.C., and Kansas City.
He entered naval aviation training in 1942 and left the Marine Air Corps in 1946 as a first lieutenant. Ross was an instrument flight instructor and a twin engine pilot, which fulfilled a high school dream of flying transport planes. Ross farmed with his father and was a dairy farmer at Rockwell. He was a 4-H member and later a leader. While in Rockwell, he joined the River City Barbershop Chorus and enjoyed singing with them for 16 years until he moved to Jefferson. He was a member of the American Legion in Rockwell, serving one year as commander, and then a member in Jefferson. He was an active member in Kiwanis in Jefferson for 44 years, during which time he served one year as president. Ross worked 22 years for Farm Bureau Insurance both as an agent and agency manager. He was a SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) Volunteer, helping seniors with health questions and claims for 16 years.
Ross married Rema Faye Murchison on Jan. 8, 1944, in Kansas City, Kansas. They enjoyed 62 great years together. To this union was born five children: Pamela, Gary, Sheila, Debi and Penny. In their retirement years, this R&R team loved to travel in their motor home, camp with the Greene Campers, and attend Southern Gospel concerts throughout the United States. Ross & Rema enjoyed music — singing solos and duets and family quartets in church. Ross was never without a song. He entertained the residents and staff of Rockwell Community Nursing home with many a fine tune. He has now joined the heavenly choir singing with the saints!
Left to mourn his passing are: daughter Pamela (Jerry) Bergman, of Plymouth, and children: Cheri (John) Vanderhart, Montezuma, Jennifer (Chris) Anderson, Mason City, Bruce (Renae) Bergman, Mason City; son Gary (Lauren) Hansen, Tallahassee, Fla., and children: Alicia (Ben) O’Riordan, Orlando, Fla., and Karina (Josh) Hollingsworth, Tallahassee, Fla.; daughter Sheila (Tom) Chapin, Harrisburg, Ore., children: Kevin Cox, Eagle River, Alaska., and Teresa Smalls, Harrisburg, Ore.,; daughter Debi Hansen (Michael Widmer), Penny Walkenhorst, Comfort, Texas, and child: Chad Hansen, Des Moines. Great-grandchildren: Haley and Carson Vanderhart; Trisha and Owen Anderson; Kylie and Cade Bergman; Olivia, Claire, Adelaide and Eloise O’Riordan; Emmaline and Avonlea (due 7/17) Hollingsworth; Kylie and Brecken Cox. Ross is survived by one brother, Lynn Hansen, Glen Allen, Va., and special friend, Janne Dawson, Jefferson.
Ross was preceded in death by his wife, Rema; brother, Claire Hansen; son-in-law, Mark Walkenhorst; granddaughter, Angela Hansen; and parents, Charles F. and Grace B. Hansen.
There will be a Celebration of Life at First Baptist Church in Rockwell from 1-2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 6. Visitation will be from 6:30-8 p.m. at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson, on Sunday, July 6. The funeral service will be at 1:30 at First Baptist Church, Jefferson Monday, July 7. Interment will follow at Jefferson Cemetery. There will be a time of fellowship following at First Baptist Church, Jefferson.