Robert F. Hanson

Robert F. "Bob" Hanson, 79, of Sioux City died Thursday, April 10, 2008, in Sun City, Ariz., following an extended illness.

Memorial services will be held Friday, June 20, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Visitation without body present will Thursday, June 19, 2008 from 6-8 p.m. and a 7:00 Masonic service at the funeral home.

Bob was born on Feb. 20, 1929, in Linn Grove, Iowa, the son of Hiram R. and Agnes L. (Fonley) Hanson. He was raised in Linn Grove, and graduated from Linn Grove High School. After high school graduation, he joined the U.S. Army and served in Korea. When he returned from the Army, Bob was offered a scholarship to play football at Morningside College under the helm of George Allen. During his college football years, he was given the nickname, "Rock," which stayed with him throughout his adult life. He is a member of the Morningside College Hall of Fame.

Bob married Susan M. Hoberg on Aug. 24, 1950, in Sioux City. They lived in or around Sioux City for all of their 57 years of marriage while raising three children. He taught school and coached a variety of sports in Plainview, Neb., and Sac City, Iowa. He left teaching in 1958, when he was hired as a sales agent by New York Life Insurance Company. He worked for New York Life for 49 years until retiring in 2007. He earned the designation of Chartered Life Underwriter while working for New York Life, and was a member of the Siouxland Estate Planning Council.

He was a brother Mason of the Landmark Lodge, Sioux City Consistory, Abu Bekr Shrine and the Royal Order of Jesters. He was a member of the White Horse Mounted Patrol for 26 years and took great pride in having the opportunity to ride his horse, Ajax, in the Nixon Presidential Inaugural Parade, Rose Bowl Parade and numerous local parades. He coached in the Westside Little League for many years, taking great pride in all the players and a city championship title. He especially enjoyed the friendships he continued to enjoy with them through the years.

He enjoyed telling stories, playing cards, golfing with his Okoboji and Sun City buddies, fishing and spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He and his wife, Susan enjoyed many great times in Okoboji, Sun City and while traveling with longtime high school and college friends.

He will be lovingly missed by his wife, Susan; two daughters, Robbi and her husband, Mike Codina of Dakota Dunes, and Debbie and her husband, Jim Lane of Sioux City; daughters-in-law, Choi Hanson and Carol Hanson; five grandchildren, Adam Hanson, Chris and Tony Codina, Keenan and Mattie Lane; four great-grandchildren, Macie and Corey Codina, Hunter and Colton Lane; three brothers, Jim Hanson of Northwood, Iowa, John Hanson and his wife, Gayle of Fresno, Calif., and Harold Hanson and his wife, April of Sioux City; two sisters, Rachel and her husband, Chuck Storm of Sioux City, and Donna Benson of Aurora, Colo.; a brother-in-law, Steve Hoberg and his wife, Marilyn of Sioux City; a sister-in-law, Nancy and her husband, Elliott Wooldridge of Sioux City; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Mike; two sisters, Janet Angert and Carol Norton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Abu Bekr Shrine White Horse Mounted Patrol or the Westside Little League.