Hans Hansen

Hans Hansen, husband of Caroline Ralfs died March 01, 1934

HANS HANSEN DEAD AT HIS HOME HERE AFTER SHORT ILLNESS

Esteemed Old Resident Taken Last Night of bladder trouble at 83

HAD BEEN SERIOUSLY ILL ONLY SINCE LAST FRIDAY

Prominent Farmer Many Years south of Traer Before Retiring in Town in 1912

Hans Hansen, 83, one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Traer, died at his home here about 6 o'clock last night. He had been seriously ill only about a week of bladder trouble, and was conscious most of the time yesterday.

Mr. Hansen was born in Schlesweig, Germany, in 1851, coming to America as a boy of 10 with his parents. After a few years at Davenport the family came to Tama County in 1868. Mr. Hansen married Caroline Ralfs, daughter of pioneer Tama county settlers, July 11, 1877. They then moved to their farm six miles south of Traer, their home until 1912 .

He is survived by his wife, a daughter, Mrs. Henry Joens, Crystal township; and three sons, Theodore and Otto, southeast of town, and Amil, of Traer.

Funeral arrangements were not complete when the Star-Clipper went to press.

Another obit for Hans Hansen

Beloved Traer Man Is Buried in Oneida Cemetery, Near Clutier

Many Relatives here From Distance

With many unable to gain admission to the residence, scores of relatives and friends gathered Sunday afternoon at his home in Traer to pay final tribute to Hans Hansen, 83 years old, one of Traer's most beloved and highly esteemed citizens, who died here Thursday evening, March 1, following a week's serious illness.

The Rev. Charles E. Luce, local Methodist pastor, was in charge of the funeral service. Music was furnished by Mrs. F. W. Wood and Mrs. Elmer Taylor Jr., accompanied by Mrs. F. W. Scharfenberg.

Pall bearers were Otto F. Moelle, Thomas Lorenzen, Mike Marsau, John Steffen, Fred Prehn and William Kroger. Burial was in the Oneida cemetery, near Clutier.

Here from a distance for the funeral were Mrs. Dora Haack, of Shell Rock, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hansen, and Mr. and Mrs. Will Hansen of Vinton; Mrs Matilda Eggers, of St. Paul, Minn.; Mrs. Fred Lamb and daughters of Tama; Mrs. William Ralfs of Trosky, Minn.; Mrs. E. J. Kickland, and Ernest Oye, both of Pipestone, Minn.; and Mrs. Henry Steleck, of Hartley, Ia.

It was an especially sad occasion for Mrs. Eggers, a sister of the decedent, who had left her home two or three days before to attend the golden wedding celebration of another brother, Thomas Hansen, at Vinton, hence did not learn of Mr. Hansen's death here until her arrival.

Mr. Hansen was probably blessed with as kind, friendly and generous a disposition as any man who ever lived in Traer. Blind throughout the last twelve years of his life, he was happier than most people who enjoy full possesion of their faculties. The affliction never dimmed his genial spirit, nor did it dull his fondness for his accordian and the German songs which were always so close to his heart.

The devotion which extended between Mr. Hansen and his wife during their almost fifty-seven years of married life together was a true inspiration to all who knew them.

His loss is one that will be keenly felt in the community as well as the immediate family circle.

Submitted by: Claire Marie Grant (cmgrant2@yahoo.com)