Cover photo for Darrell Hansen's Obituary
Darrell Hansen Profile Photo
1924 Darrell 2019

Darrell Hansen

December 21, 1924 — August 5, 2019

Woodbine

Darrell E. Hansen    12/21/1924   –  8/5/2019

This is the story of his “dash”…..

Carl and Mildred Hansen welcomed their first son, the fourth of their children at their home near Melrose School in Taylor Township, Harrison County, Iowa on December 21, 1924. He is the last member of his family to pass on, having been preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Margaret, Dorothy, and Frances, and his two brothers, Marion and Dean. He was also preceded in death by an infant son in 1965, his daughter, Rita Poncelet, in 1988, and his grandson, Troy Clark, in 2005.

Darrell graduated in 1942 from Missouri Valley High School and because he was the oldest son, he remained in the US during the war. He chose to work at the Martin Bomber Plant for the duration of the war however, farming after work and on the weekends with his father. His love of Hampshire hogs continued from his youth and for many years he sold purebred Hamps.

In the fall of 1947, Darrell met Phyllis Shields at a dance, and they soon became a couple, and married in April of 1948 at St. Patrick’s Church in Dunlap, where we gather today. They remained loyal and faithful to one another for 71 years, having lived on a farm at Mondamin until 1964. At that time, they purchased the “Rief Farm” smack in between Dunlap and Woodbine. In 1974, Darrell became an insurance agent with Stephany-Coe, and he and Max Hammitt formed Hammitt-Hansen Realty, selling real estate for a number of years before Max passed away. Darrell retired in 1999. He was very active and served on several boards not limited to but including Harrison County Fair Board, Harrison County REC, Woodbine Community School Board, Knights of Columbus, and the Taylor Township hunting gang with his life-long buddies, Bill Myers, and Dean Faylor. He shared his passion for 4-H with his children who all belonged to 4-H from 1960 until 1977 and remained a strong support of both the Harrison County Fair and the 4-County Fair. He started playing golf sometime in the 1970’s and enjoyed many Thursday afternoons at men’s night, and the senior tour in Western Iowa in the later years. He only gave up playing golf at the age of 87. Another of his favorite activities was as a “step on guide” for the many bus tours that came thru the Loess Hills in the fall. Again, he was a great storyteller and the folks on the tours appreciated his “historical” comments. He and Phyllis also volunteered at the Harrison County Historical Village, and especially enjoyed the school students coming to visit the Village at the end of the school year.

Darrell and Phyllis traveled on many enjoyable trips from Nova Scotia to Arizona, to Alaska, and spent several winters in Apache  Junction, Arizona. He was a well-known “wood butcher” as he called himself, and donated numerous items to charity benefits, auctions, and other fundraisers. He probably created several tons of sawdust over his lifetime! He loved a good joke and always had a story or two to share on most any occasion. His wish would be that you share a story with one another and have a good laugh rather than share misery and tears. He was quick to tell one that he had lived a good life, and that is so true.

Darrell received his early sacraments at Saint Bridget’s in Magnolia, Iowa. He was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Woodbine and relied on his faith thru good times and bad.

At the time of his passing, he is survived by his wife of 71 years, Phyllis, and five of their six children, Marilyn and Jon Boustead of  Woodbine, Jan & Ted Hogya of  Omaha, NE, Doug & Cathy Hansen of Woodbine,  Bev Clark of Neligh, NE, and Dan &Janet Hansen, of Earling, IA; 15 grandchildren; three step-granddaughters; 30 great-grand-children; nine step-great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Memorials may be directed to the Woodbine or Dunlap Food Pantry.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Darrell Hansen, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Family will receive friends

Thursday, August 8, 2019

4:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

St. Patrick's Parish Center

, Dunlap, IA 51529

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Mass of Christian Burial

Friday, August 9, 2019

Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)

St. Patrick Catholic Church

509 S 3rd St, Dunlap, IA 51529

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Committal

Pleasant Hill Cemetery

, Dunlap, IA 51529

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