Junior Hanen

February 17, 1924 - November 26, 2020

Junior Hanen Marion, IA; long-time resident of Jefferson, Iowa Date of Death: November 26, 2020 Junior Hanen, a longtime resident of Jefferson, Iowa, died November 26, 2020 at the age of 96, while living at The Views of Marion, Marion, Iowa. A Graveside Service with military rites will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at the Jefferson Cemetery. Face masks are encouraged. Junior, known to many as JF, started farming north of Jefferson in 1945. He had a dream to come home and start farming using money he had saved while serving in the Navy during WWII. He worked hard and accomplished his dream. He was never far from farming whether on the tractor, feeding cattle, or managing multiple operations. Junior Francis Hanen was born in Dawson, Iowa, February 17, 1924 to Arch and Hannah Hanen. He went to school in Cooper, Iowa where he met Eleanor Crews. They married in 1943 and raised two daughters together. They later divorced. In these early years, Junior farmed multiple farms, raised large herds of Black Angus cattle, and enjoyed buying cattle in Montana and Wyoming for himself and area farmers. It wasn't always work with no play as he took time for family road trips each summer, fishing trips in Canada, square dancing at Midwinter Club, card groups, family get-togethers, activities at the Elks Club and as a Shriner. Junior and his wife, Barb, have enjoyed thirty-seven years together farming, traveling, taking cruises, and spending winters in Florida making many good friends. Junior met many of his friends while on the golf course. By March of every year, he was itching to get back to Iowa, to start the next farming season. Family was important to Junior. He especially enjoyed the little kids. He is survived by his wife Barb, daughters Lana Sorenson, Lake City, Iowa, Lynne Pederson (Charlie) Nerstrand, Minnesota, step-daughter, Jackie Heim (John) Marion, Iowa, grandchildren Kelly Bruggeman (Brett), Kasey Stern, Tedd Pederson (Molly), Jeff Heim (Erin), Jodee Reed (Blake), fourteen great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, seven siblings, son-in-law, Jim Sorenson, step-daughter, Janie Davis. Junior was a self-made man. He was smart, determined, driven, had a winning smile, and made the right decisions to succeed. He leaves a lasting impression on the lives of the people he met and surrounded himself with – family, friends, and neighbors. As a husband, father, grandpa, uncle, and friend, Junior was loved, and is greatly missed by those left behind who are grateful to have been a part of his life.