DeLauris “Dee” Joan Hanson, 88, of Des Moines passed away peacefully on April 23, 2024, at Valley View Village in Des Moines, following complications from a recent stroke. Dee was born on March 20, 1936, in Beatrice, Nebraska and was the only child of Bruno and Katie (Dorn) Holz. Growing up, her family lived in many places and finally settled in southwest Washington State. During this time, she attended two different high schools – Longview and Castle Rock – graduating from Castle Rock. In high school, Dee met the love of her life, Robert Logan (Bob) Hanson, from Elgin, Iowa, who was serving in the United States Navy, stationed in Astoria, Oregon. They were married in January 1954, and upon Bob’s discharge from the service, moved to the Midwest and settled in Elkader, Iowa.
During her time in Elkader, Dee was active in Proteus, was a member of the board of the Central Community Hospital, and a long-time member of Bethany Lutheran Church. She worked for the Selective Service System in Elkader and then in various offices of the Farmers Home Administration in northeast Iowa.
Dee was an extremely talented seamstress and sewed clothing for her family and others in town over the years. She was an avid reader and needle crafter and enjoyed attending music concerts and sporting events involving her grandchildren.
Left to cherish her memories are her son, Darrell (Janet) Hanson, Altoona, Iowa; her two grandsons, Eric (Laura) Hanson, Waukee, Iowa, and Mark Hanson, Des Moines, Iowa; and great-grandchildren, Emma and Carter Hanson of Waukee, Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son, Larry (in infancy) and twin stillborn daughters.
Memorials may be directed to the family or Bethany Lutheran Church, Elkader
Visitation: Wednesday, May 1, 2024 – 10:00 am until service time at Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkader
Funeral Service: May 1, 2024 – Noon at Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkader with Pastor Kate Johnson officiating
Interment: Elgin Cemetery, Elgin