Ralph Leland Hansen Sr.

CLINTON — Ralph Leland Hansen Sr., 79, of Clinton, was promoted to Glory on January 19, 2010, in his home. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, at the Salvation Army Citadel in Clinton. Visitation will be held Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Pape Funeral Home and Friday 9:30 a.m. until the service hour at the Salvation Army Citadel. Serving as pallbearers will be Jeffrey Melvin, Marty Melvin, Lt. Stephen Hansen, Joseph Johnson, Justin Melvin and Prestin Melvin. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Edward Hearne, Dylan Smith, Logan Smith, Andrew Hansen, Sam Carnes, Nick Peska, and A.J. Newell. He was born on December 25, 1930, in Clinton to Henry and Lydia Hansen. On January 21, 1951, he married Marybelle Wright in Clinton and she preceded him in death on October 30, 2005. On March 25, 2006, he married Laura Johnson. Ralph was recognized for perfect attendance from kindergarten through twelfth grade. He was a veteran of the Korean War serving for 22 months in the early 1950s and was very proud to have several decedents serving in each of the military branches of service. He was employed at Clinton Corn Processing Company for 29 years. In 1980, he moved to Waterloo, Iowa, where he was a bookkeeper/emergency lodge manager for The Salvation Army. Then in 1982, he moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where he was the emergency lodge manager for The Salvation Army. Upon returning to Clinton 1989, he managed the Oakhurst Apartments until his retirement in 1992. He was a member of The Salvation Army and served in several leadership roles including corps sergeant major (the top local leadership position) and as church treasurer. Over the years Ralph has enjoyed spending time with his family camping and fishing. He also enjoyed bowling and was a member of several bowling leagues and tournaments. He is survived by his wife, Laura Hansen, Clinton; one sister, Eunice (Dennis) Stehben of New Berlin, Wisconsin; five children, Edna (Gary) Arnold of Thomson, Illinois, Major Ralph (Debbie) Hansen Jr. of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Brenda (John) Johnson of Savanna, Illinois, Daryl Hansen of Savanna, Illinois, Gary (Sue) Hansen of Clinton; three stepchildren, Kelly (Carl) Carnes of Clinton, Kayla (Dave) Said of Maquoketa and Larry Newell of Camanche; 17 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, 5 stepgrandchildren, 1 great-stepgrandchild and special playmate, Anthony Blount. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, ten brothers and sisters, two daughters, one stepdaughter, three grandchildren, one great-grandchild. The family wishes to express its grateful and sincere appreciation to Mercy Hospice and The Salvation Army for their tremendous support during Ralph's illness. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to either The Salvation Army or Mercy Hospice. Death date: Jan. 19, 2010#