Reuben Hanna, 1927-2015

Published 9:39 am Monday, July 13, 2015

Reuben David Hanna, 87, of Lake Mills died Friday, July 10, 2015, at Muse Norris Hospice Unit in Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Salem Lutheran Church. The Rev. Melinda McCluskey will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 E. Main St. in Lake Mills, and again one hour prior at the church. Burial will take place at North Prairie Cemetery in rural Leland, Iowa.

Reuben Hanna

Reuben David Hanna was born Aug. 30, 1927, in Winnebago County. He was the son of David and Clara (Vold) Hanna. Reuben was baptized Oct. 22, 1927, at North Prairie Lutheran Church.  He was confirmed in 1941 at North Prairie Lutheran Church.

Reuben attended country schools in Winnebago County and was a member of the 1946 graduating class of Lake Mills High School. On July 4, 1948, Reuben married Eleanor Swenson at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Scarville, Iowa. They moved to their farm northwest of Lake Mills where they resided for nearly 60 years. Together they raised seven children, farmed 160 acres of land, milked cows and raised pigs.

In the early ’80s Reuben began traveling throughout Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota, working for Farm Bureau Insurance as a crop adjuster. Reuben developed many new friendships during these travels — not only farmers — but other adjusters and Farm Bureau agents. Reuben also worked with the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service office measuring grain bins.

Reuben enjoyed many years of singing barbershop with North Iowa Barbershop Chorus. He was a member of Countrymen Quartet. Reuben served on the Lake Mills Community School Board, Lake Mills Elevator Board and County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service Board. Throughout the years Reuben enjoyed attending the many activities of his children and later his grandchildren. He could be found in the bleachers at their football, basketball, volleyball and baseball games, wrestling meets and car races. He attended many music and band concerts. Reuben enjoyed hand carving many different characters and sharing them with his family and friends.

Reuben was a lifelong member of North Prairie Lutheran Church until its closing in 2003, at which time he became a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills. While attending North Prairie he served on the church council, was the Sunday school superintendent and served on the cemetery board.

Following Eleanor’s death in 2008, Reuben left the farm and moved to Mills Harbour in Lake Mills. In May of 2011 he married Delores Brunsvold and made their home at Mills Harbour. Due to health reasons, Reuben and Delores moved into Lake Mills Care Center.

Reuben is survived by his children Doug (Candy) Hanna of Lake Mills, Claran (Daryl) Stevens of Albert Lea, Marcia (Joe) Holt of Lake Mills, John (Cortnie) Hanna of Lake Mills, Janet (Kevin) Hebrink of Lake Mills, Robert (Sandy) Hanna of Geneva and Lisa (Terry) Durby of Leland; 19 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and one great- great-granddaughter. He is survived by his wife, Delores and her children Diane (Paul) Anderson and Dave (Diane) Brunsvold and their families. He is also survived by his in-laws Ovila Hanna, James Lovik and Janice and Gary Wilt; along with several nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Reuben was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Eleanor; brothers Carl and Floyd; sisters Geneva, Alvera and Helen; and his granddaughter, Stephanie Hanna.

Online condolences may be left at www.mittlestadtfuneralhome.com.