Roger L Hanna

Published 4:20 pm Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Funeral services for Roger L Hanna will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at Salem Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, MN. Visitation will be at 10 am, with the funeral being held at 11 am.

Roger passed away on June 30, 2025. Roger was born January 7, 1937 to Milford and Margreta Hanna at their farm home ten miles west of Forest City, IA. Later the family moved to Thompson, IA where he graduated from high school in 1954. He enlisted in the US Army (Military Police) in July 1954 and served in Germany. Delores “Dorie” Wessels joined him in Germany in 1956 where they were married. After returning to the US he was discharged in June 1957.

He became a construction foreman soon after in Albert Lea, MN. Upon job completion, he then worked in a meat processing plant in Iowa. In January 1962, he joined the Albert Lea Police Department. He specialized as an accident investigator, gave public lectures on safety, was involved with a safety program for convicted DWI drivers, trained new police recruits, and developed a safety program for school bus passengers, which later was passed into law to be used state-wide. For several years he worked with young people through the Albert Lea Sportsman’s Club.

He was a member of Salem Lutheran Church for over 50 years where he served as usher, and was a member of the American Legion. His favorite pastimes were many fishing trips and traveling. In addition to traveling the USA many times, he also spent time in Germany, France, England, Mexico, and Canada. In his senior years, he and Dorie spent the winter months in Phoenix, AZ and Bullhead City, AZ.

He is survived by his wife Delores “Dorie”, his son Scott (Jenni) Hanna, four grandchildren, Matt Hanna, Cody Hanna, Nicole (Jeff) Painter, Courtney (Cal) Pirsig, and seven great grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers-in-law Duane Wessels, Larry Wessels, Roger (Beverly) Wessels, and sister-in-law Cheryl (Paul) Beenken.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Kevin, three premature infants, brother Larry Hanna, and sister Glenda Ackerman.

His favorite song was: Lead Me and Guide Me

Funeral arrangements by Bonnerup Funeral Services, and interment will be at Graceland Cemetery, Albert Lea, MN.