James "Jim" Hanson

James “Jim” Hanson, age 83, of Decorah, IA, died on Wednesday, July 5, 2017, at Aase Haugen Senior Services. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 10, 2017, at the Glenwood Lutheran Church, 1197 Old Stage Road with Rev. Stacey Nalean-Carlson presiding. Burial will be in the Pontoppidan cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., on Sunday, July 9, 2017 at the Schluter Balik Funeral Home 604 South Avenue, Decorah and also after 10:00 a.m. at the church on Monday morning. James Edward Hanson was born on October 11, 1933, the son of Emil and Melia (Thompson) Hanson at home in Winneshiek County, IA. Jim was baptized and confirmed at Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church. He attended country school through eighth grade. Jim farmed with his parents until 1957. He married Betty Thompson on June 16, 1956 at the Decorah Lutheran Church. Together they had three children: Dave, Doug and Darryl. Jim continued to farm and he and Betty were able to purchase their own farm in 1969. Jim farmed with his boys until 1975 when he started doing construction work. In 1980, he started his own Log Home business. Jim built 50 custom log homes around the area with the last one being for their best friends Ken and Jan Otteson in 1999. After retirement, Jim enjoyed building furniture, smoking meats, fishing, playing cards, and even took up golfing and made a hole in one. He and Betty moved to town in 2014 where he spent the last few years of his life enjoying time with his family. Jim was a gracious host and always greeted you with a smile. He was a great teacher, friend and smiling hero. Jim is survived by his wife of sixty-one years: Betty Hanson. Three sons: Dave (Carol) Hanson, Decorah, IA; Doug (Laurie) Hanson, Decorah, IA; Darryl (special friend Tina Bappe) Hanson, Decorah, IA. Grandchildren: Mandy (Greg) Mueller, Decorah, IA; Mitch (Erica) Hanson, Decorah, IA. Chad (Shelly) Hanson, Clive, IA. Jessica (Bill) Gass, Melcher-Dallas, IA; Jon (Liz) Hanson, Dubuque, IA; Sara (Keith) Faulkner, Dubuque, IA; Breanna (friend Doug Champagne) Smith, Decorah, IA; Tabby (Suzie) Spalj, Iowa City, IA; Cody (friend Jared Medina) Hanson, Wichita, KS; Megan (friend Michelle Deppe) Hanson, Wichita, KS; Teesha (Scott) Helms, Decorah, IA. Jarred Bappe, Decorah, IA. Great grandchildren: Dominic, Danika, Austin, Mason, Elle, Landon, Bailey, Logan, Colt, Devon, Gabriel, Mikael, Sammuel, Nathaniel, Caden, Caylee and Jaelyn. Niece and Nephew: Diane (Wayne) Roberts, Hardy, AR; Wayne (Linda) Hanson, Decorah, IA. Special friends: Ken (Jan) Otteson, Ridgeway, IA. Jim was preceded in death by his parents: Emil and Melia (Thompson) Hanson. Sister: Helen (Kenneth) Hanson. Father and Mother-in-law: Arnold (Esther) Thompson. Daughter-in-law: Karla Hanson.