Blaine Robert Hanson passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2026 following a short illness. At 67, he spent his final days in his rural West Union home surrounded by his children, family and friends.
Blaine was born on June 28, 1959 to Robert and Norma Jean (Schatz) Hanson. He and his younger brothers, Brett and Bryce, were lovingly known as “Bob’s Boys” and spent much of their childhood traveling due to their father’s career in the Air Force. Although born in West Union, Blaine spent time all over the world, most notable for him were the years he spent on base in Okinawa, Japan. Eventually, the family found their way back to West Union, where Blaine graduated high school and immediately began turning wrenches and leaning into the role everyone would come to know him for.
In the years to come, Blaine would become both a Master ASE Certified Mechanic as well as a Master GM technician. When it came to fixing vehicles, he was one of the best. Blaine worked for John Falb Company in West Union as well as ran his own shop, Blaine’s Quality Auto Service. As you can imagine, much of Blaine’s life revolved around his love of cars, but nothing came before his family.
On June 23, 1990, Blaine married Krisinda “Kris” Henry and together they created a beautiful life. Purchasing an acreage outside of West Union, Blaine’s Quality Auto’s doors rarely knew a stranger. Whether a customer stopping in for work or a friend stopping in for an afterwork beer, Blaine was rarely seen without one or the other. Raising four boys and three girls, he found ways to make memories with his kids while still getting work done. Flea markets, swap meets, races, and more demolition derbies than you could possibly count, were forever on the schedule. However, the most fond memories for the kids were the ones where they got to see a side of their dad where he got to put the wrenches down. These times included their many trips to Colorado where the youngest three got to get cozy in the back of an extended cab truck on the 15 hour trips, camping, water parks where he liked to test the safety limits of the slides, and the Hanson 4th of July Extravaganza where enough fireworks were purchased that shooting them off would go on for hours and Kris’ voice would go hoarse from yelling at them to stop being so stupid.
In March of 2005, Blaine was crushed in a work accident which led to years of fighting issues to try and keep him on both legs as long as possible. Hospital stays and surgeries became a new norm for him as he was forced to slow down. Several years later, he and Kris would continue to fight battles as she was diagnosed with breast cancer and, he, lung cancer. During their journeys, Blaine found a way to express his mechanical genius and began making metal art out of recycled pieces. Twisted Salvage Creations was an amazing way for him to keep his hands and mind busy when the world got heavy. His creations were truly amazing and are cherished by everyone lucky enough to own one. In 2020, Blaine finally lost the battle with his leg and had the surgery to get it amputated. While this gave his kids all the fuel needed to make him the butt of every joke, it was clear that Blaine didn’t care. He decided to pivot once again and leaned full force into his role as a grandpa.
Up until his very last day on earth, Blaine made sure his grandkids knew just how much he loved them. There was seldom an event where you couldn’t spot him in the crowd in his grease covered, holey sweatshirts. His fridge was covered in pictures and artwork, his picture frame hung where he could watch the kids’ faces scroll past as he fell asleep, and camp pick up schedules still hang on the toolbox in the shop. There was nothing you couldn’t count on him for when it came to being a grandpa, unless it meant changing a poopy diaper.
Blaine never missed an opportunity to tell his kids that they wouldn’t love him if he wasn’t so dumb. Turns out, that was true. The last few days of his life were spent hysterically laughing, mostly at his expense. One of the last Blaine-isms was on his trip home, where he was talking about all the people that would be stopping to see him. After thinking about it for a few minutes, he stated, “It will be hard to ask them to leave. Everybody loves me”, and he was so very right.
He is survived by his seven children: Timothy (Ashley) Hanson of Castle Rock, CO, Christopher (Adriana) Hanson of Kansas City, MO, and Dusty (Bridget Purdy) Hanson of Cazenovia, NY, from his first marriage, Tami Rema of Dyersville, Cassey (Kory) Kuhens of West Union, Alyssa (Jacob) McDonald of Dike, and Daniel (Megan) Hanson of Elgin; grandchildren: Trey, Tanner, Hailey, Brittney, Logan, Madison, Chandler, Loxley, Graham, Wren, and Ruby; Great grandchildren: Elowen and her soon-to-be little brother. He is also survived by his little brother Bryce (Stephanie) Hanson.
He was preceded in death by his mother in 1992, father (exactly 30 years prior) in 1996, wife, Kris, in 2018, and brother Brett, in 2022, as well as his beloved shop dogs, Derby and Torque.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Friday, September 25, 2026 from 3:00 – 7:00 pm with a time of sharing at 2:00 pm at the Rustic Chic Event Center, 24161 Lincoln Road, West Union, Iowa.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, West Union, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.