Obituary
Marvin Dale Hanson, age 89, of Overland Park, KS died on July 21, 2024, at the KC Hospice House in Kansas City, MO. Marvin was born on June 7,1935 in Renwick, IA to Julius and Alice (Olson) Hanson. His family lived on a farm in Renwick until his sophomore year of high school, when they purchased a farm in Garner, IA in 1949. His father died a year later and as the youngest of five children and only remaining child still living at home, Marvin and his mother, Alice, continued to run the farm assisted by his uncle Melvin Olson. Marvin graduated from Garner High School in 1953. Following graduation, he continued to work on the farm while also playing competitive baseball, which was his true passion. He was united in marriage to LaVonne VanOort in 1956 at the First Reformed Church in Garner and together they lived and managed the farm with his mother Alice. Their first born (son) Thomas was born in 1957. They sold the farm in 1959; Alice moved to Eagle Grove, IA, and Marvin and LaVonne (and Tom) moved to Waterloo, IA, where Marvin worked at John Deere as a machine operator.
Shortly thereafter, Bruce was born in 1959, James in 1962, and Linda in 1966. Marvin was recruited by LaVonne’s brother (Dwayne) at his construction company (Northwest Erection Services) in 1967.This was the beginning of Marvin’s 35-year career as a Project Superintendent where he was instrumental in building many Iowa landmarks, including the Iowa Capital building, the first Des Moines skywalks, Carver Hawkeye Arena, the Iowa State Library, and many more. Because most projects were in Des Moines, Marvin was away from his family during the week, so he moved his family to Ankeny, IA in 1970, where he could be home every night with them. Marvin continued his career as a Local 67 Union Ironworker until his retirement in 1997 at the age of 62.
Marvin was a dedicated and devoted father and husband, always sacrificing personal enjoyment to raise his 4 children in his strong Lutheran faith and ensure they could have a better life than him. On very limited resources, he and LaVonne worked tirelessly to help all four kids through college. Marvin was an outstanding athlete, exemplified mostly in baseball, where he played post-high school Independent Ball and would regularly strike out 16, 17, even 20 batters in a game. Marvin was an intelligent, honest, and extraordinary man who always took great pride in his work and the buildings he helped construct, and never lost an arm-wrestling match (right or left arm). Such characteristics carried into all parts of his life and is being passed down for generations to come. The best example is how Marvin was often described by all those who knew him as ‘Salt of the Earth’.
Marvin was proceeded in death by his parents (Julius & Alice) and 4 siblings Ralph (Gloria) Hanson, Marjorie Bennett, Dorothy (Ray) Dilley, and Norma (James) Brody. He is survived by wife, LaVonne, sons Tom (Carol), Bruce (Linda), Jim (Edina) and daughter Linda (Robert) Wingerter along with eleven grandchildren, Amy, Heather, Ben (Tom & Carol), Kyle, Alex, Andrew, Holly (Bruce & Linda), Shania, Stephanie (Jim & Edina), and Seth, Justin (Linda and Robert) and four great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews that he loved like his own children.
A visitation will be held Saturday, July 27, 2024, from 10:00am to 11:00am at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Grandview, Missouri. A funeral service will follow at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church or https://siberianlutheranmissions.org
Condolences
Visitation
Grandview, MO 64030
Services
Grandview, MO 64030
The whole family is and will be in our hearts and prayers! Marv was a great man and I was blessed to know the whole family! RIP Marv and he will be watching over you all always! Hugs to all of you!
Love and prayers to all the family. Your daughter Linda is very special to us.
Rest in Peace
Dear Bruce and family. We are so sorry for your loss and will hold you all in our prayers 🙏. What w wonderful example of love of God and family and strong work ethics he was! Now we also understand the Hanson family’s love of sports and athletic abilities ❤️. He set the bar high and you all have made him very proud ! Love to you all and Gods peace be with you all. Love. Jan and Jay.
Uncle Marvin, you will be missed by all! I have so many good memories of you and your sweet, sweet family.
Love you to the moon and back!
My deepest sympathies to your family. He always took time to help Ernie. He will be missed. Love to you all
Rest in peace, Mr Hanson. My mom and dad always talked of you (and your family) and how much of a dear friend you and LaVonne were to them. It’s been a minute but I recall your smile and the ease with which we could laugh and talk with you. Love to all and I know you’re watching us from heaven above!
Growing up in Iowa with all my Dad’s friends was magical and wonderful time. I remember Marvin as a wonderful family man that had a strong personality and good sense of humor. We (my brothers and I) spent a lot of time with his kids when I was growing up in Waterloo. I miss those innocent carefree times.
Lavonne, so sorry for your loss.Sending Leone Morton’s and my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. We have missed you at LUMMA. All God’s blessings, Jenny
i came across this and was saddened to hear of Marvin’s passing. I hope you are all well.
Doug Lister