Irma Karen Hansen

Irma Karen Hansen of Hampton passed away on October 23, 2019, at Franklin General Hospital in Hampton, Iowa, 10 days after celebrating her 101st birthday. Irma's life began on October 13, 1918, in Coulter, Iowa. The last-born of five children to Egedie and Hans Christian Hansen (Ellis Island immigrants from Odense, Funen, Denmark), Irma lived her childhood and beyond within 15 miles of her birth place. She attended Grand View Lutheran College in Des Moines and Cedar Falls Teachers College and taught (classes 1-8) in a country school. Irma's passion was always music and she gave the children the benefit of her musical talent by playing the organ while they sang. At the age of 22, Irma married Russel Clifford Hansen. They began their life together in a little house in Hampton where Russel was a milkman. They then moved to manage the Fox Farm north of Hampton. Next began their life of farming and raising a family. She was a wonderful, loving and supportive mother. They lived on several rental farms before owning the farm west of Hampton where their grandson Jacob now farms. She was an active, life-long member of St. John's Lutheran church (which originated in a Danish-American farming community) serving as the church organist for 50 years. Irma valued family, church, community, higher education, the arts, and in her later years, the sweet chime of a slot machine. Irma is awaited in heaven by Russel, Egedie and Hans Christian, and her four beloved siblings: Mary, Edward, Henry and Gunnar. Irma's legacy of love will be carried forth by her 3 children: Diane Keller, Dr. Delos (Jerilyn) Hansen and Dallas (Kimberly) Hansen, 11 grandchildren: Shannon Bowerman, Dawn (Damon) Laird, Colleen (Damon) Stewart, Heather (Kelly) Devlin, Kristen (Travis) Hook, Katie Hansen, Courtney Iwersen, Joshua (Renee) Hansen, Jacob (Courtney) Hansen, Tanner (Breanna) Whipple, Makenzie Whipple, and 18 great grandchildren: Cameron and Ashley Laird, Emma and Owen Stewart, Sullivan, Ellis, Ryan and Wyatt Hook, Gracie Hansen, Lars, William, Aleksandra and Sigrid Iwersen, Sydney, Sawyer, and Kennady Hansen, Kenley and Knox Hansen. Special thanks are given to Hilda Metz, her loved and trusted companion in her last years. In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be sent to MercyOne North Iowa Hospice of Mason City, Iowa.

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Irma Karen Hansen

October 13, 1918 - October 23, 2019