Richard N. Hansen

1928 - 2013

Richard N. Hansen

Funeral services for Richard N. Hansen, 85, were conducted by Pastor Steven Frock and Pastor Glen Meyers on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, at 10 a.m. at the Brayton Lutheran Church in Brayton. Interment was in the Oakfield Cemetery east of Brayton. The honorary casket bearers were: Robert Nymand, Sr., Dale Hansen, Steve Sykes, Joni Griffin, Debbie Gust, Melanie Heinrichs. The casket bearers were: Steve Hansen, Cory Schultes, Rich Beymer, John Baker, Ben Hansen, Shawn Jespersen, and Parker Hansen. The Kessler Funeral Home in Exira was in charge of the arrangements.
Richard N. Hansen, the son of Nels P. and Mary N. (Daugard) Hansen, was born May 15, 1928, west of Brayton, and died Aug. 29, 2013 at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon, at the age of 85 years, 3 months, and 14 days.
Rick was baptized May 27, 1928, and confirmed May 24, 1942, at the Oak Hill Lutheran Church west of Brayton. He attended rural school Audubon #2. Following eighth grade, at the age of 13, he moved east of Brayton and was employed as a hired farm hand. In 1948, he started working at the Brayton Produce. On Dec. 1, 1950, he was inducted into the United States Army. His company was the first to be called out of Audubon County for the Korean War. During his tour of duty he was stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1953 and returned to Brayton and continued to work at the Brayton Produce.
On March 20, 1953, he was united in marriage to Gertrude M. Sykes at the Oak Hill Lutheran Church west of Brayton. Rick continued to work for the Brayton Produce until he retired in 1990 after working there for 42 years. Then during harvest Rick would work half days at the Produce. Gertrude died July 3, 2007. Rick has continued to live at his home.
Rick was a member of the Brayton Lutheran Church in Brayton. He was a lifetime member of the Brayton American Legion and had served many years as the Commander. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, and playing golf. He was an accomplished wood worker and made numerous trains and other types of woodworking.
Preceding him in death was his wife Gertrude M. Hansen; his parents; his sister Annabelle Petersen; his brother Jens Hansen; and his brother-in-law Jim Sykes.
Survivors include his children: David and wife Margy Hansen of Exira; Shari and husband Ron Beymer of Hamlin; his grandchildren: Benjamin and wife Riann Hansen of Exira; Tara and husband Shawn Jespersen of Cumberland; Jennifer and husband Steve Hansen of Indianola; Stephanie and husband Cory Schultes of Johnston; Richard Beymer of Audubon; Veronica and husband John Baker of Littleton, Colo.; his great-grandchildren: Kate, Alex, and Jack Hansen all of Exira; Isabelle Jespersen of Cumberland; Parker and Emma Hansen of Indianola; Peyton and Rylan Schultes of Johnston; Sydney and Lauryn Beymer of Audubon; Drake and Hudson Baker of Littleton; his brother Dale and wife Melva Hansen of Scott City, Kan.; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law: Cindy and husband Dwight Will of Wiota; Steve Sykes and Audrey Chamberlain of Brayton; his faithful companion Dash; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.