Charles L. Hanson

Charles Leslie Hanson was born August 19, 1922 to Lucile and Leslie Hanson on the family farm east of Odebolt, Iowa. He spent most of his youth in Odebolt attending all but 1 semester in the Odebolt School. Charles met Arwanna Elizabeth Kropf in 1936 they became sweethearts, graduated together in the class of 1940. After graduation, in 1942, Charles enlisted in the United States Navy as a Naval aviator. His Naval training took him across the country from sea to shining sea and fed his lifelong passion for flying. He returned to Iowa to marry Arwanna in the Odebolt Presbyterian Church on December 10, 1944. The Navy dictated their home until his release from active duty in late 1945 when they returned to Iowa and spent nearly 65 years together. Chuck and Wannie were blessed with four children Neil Paul, Nancy Lee, James Norman and Julie Ann.
Charles stayed active in the Naval reserve thru 1982 while establishing himself as a very kind and successful businessman and lumberman in Denison and Malvern Iowa. Upon retirement in 1991 Chuck and Wannie moved back to Odebolt and rekindled old friendships and established new ones. They were able to maintain contact with their high school classmates and remained active in the church where they were married.
Chuck joined the Masonic lodge AF&AM in 1954 and advanced to be a 32nd degree mason as a 65-year member. He is a past master, served in many lodge offices and as a district lecturer for the Grand Lodge of Iowa.
Charles had many interests throughout his life. Family always came first as he cared for his wife in her final years of life and then visiting his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as often as he could. He was an avid golfer, playing several times a week and in a league until he was 95. Bridge playing occupied his time many a day and evening until all the partners could no longer play. Music was a lifelong interest that started as a Tuba player in elementary school and continued thru the years as he taught himself to play the organ. He played mostly for himself but did enjoy playing and watching his grandchildren dance to the music. He could always be counted on to tell you a story and entertained countless people with his treasure trove of jokes. When life required it, he became a gourmet cook preparing meals for himself rather than dining out. Flying was introduced to him at age 5 when he took his first plane ride and a passion was seeded. That passion never left, he flew crop-dusters, gliders, fighter jets, submarine hunters and many others. Chuck remained active with a sharp memory and quick wit all the days of his life. He remained in good health and passed away gently while napping on September 15, 2019 following a hospitalization for pneumonia.
Charles is survived by his children: Neil Paul Hanson and his wife Cheryl, granddaughter Amy and husband Mike Hedges and great granddaughter Anelise of Arvada, CO. Nancy Merrill and husband Bruce of Nebraska City, Ne. granddaughter Sara Jane Addison and husband Brian and great grandchildren Laurel and Gabriel of Hamilton GA.; grandson Clay Witte and wife Jodi of Provo, UT. and great granddaughter Anissa Buller and husband Sam of San Diego CA., daughter-in-law Marsha Hanson, granddaughter Ada Jane and husband Kurt Maly and great grandsons Keaton and Kye; grandson Quinn and his wife Candice Hanson and great granddaughters Avery and Tenley all of Wahoo, NE., Julie Wirth and grandson Eric of Red Oak, IA and many family and friends near and far. Charles was preceded in death by wife Arwanna, son James, son-in-law Rick Wirth, parents, and 3 sisters.