Merle Hansen

My Life Story Merle A. Hansen, 93 years of age, beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and member of the “Greatest Generation”, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017 at a local hospital. Numerous family members and friends were at his bedside to lovingly release him to his Heavenly Father. Merle was the first of five children born to Henry and Lottie Hansen, January 27, 1923 in a farmhouse located near Brunswick NE. Dad learned to work the land, raise cattle and pigs for food and train horses to provide power for farming crops. Formal education began in one-room country school, grades one through eight. He loved to hunt squirrels in the woods and would often provide food for the evening meal on his way home from school. It was while Dad was in school at Chambers High School that he met Laverne Young. Dad graduated in 1940 but believed he learned more from his Dad and Mother about life than from other sources. Following graduation, he worked with his father on the farm. Following a series of dust bowl storms, drought, and devastating pig cholera, the Hansen’s decided move West. Mom and Dad were married on June 1. 1942. The following day, the Henry Hansen clan loaded all their possessions into a truck and car and headed to Oregon to seek better opportunities. Along with the newlyweds were parents, Henry and Lottie Hansen; brother, Virgil; sisters: Luetta and Lavonne, and brother, Larry. They stopped in the Treasure Valley and decided to settle here. Dad joined the US Army on October 23, 1944 leaving his wife and son, David in Boise. Dad served in the Philippine Islands and received two Purple Heart Awards for battle wounds sustained at Mindanao. Dad was discharged from the service in 1945 and returned to Idaho to begin the rest of his life. He farmed the land where Ann Morrison Park is located and milked cows. During this time son, Steve, and daughter Connie (Tewalt) were born. Dad and Mom became very active in the Boise First Methodist Church (now known as Cathedral of the Rockies). In the Fall of 1956 the family moved to a farm north of Eagle. Dad kept the milk cows, sheep and pigs were added as the family became active in 4H. In addition to the farming Dad also supplemented his income by driving milk truck for Idaho Creameries before gaining fulltime employment with the US Postal service. He worked for USPS from 1959 to 1989. During this time, Merle and Laverne purchased a farm south of Meridian. As a member of the agricultural community Dad was dedicated to passing on the knowledge, skills, and love of the land and animals. He was a vocal advocate for both 4-H programs and FFA organizations at local high schools where his leadership and service have been noted by numerous certificates of merit including the Honorary Farmers Degree from the Meridian High School FFA chapter. Continuing in the tradition of agriculture is Dad’s involvement in the agricultural fraternity, the Grange. He has served in leadership positions in local, county, state and national Granges. At the time of his death, Dad was an active member of the Meridian United Methodist Church, Maple Grove Grange, and the American Legion. Merle was pre-deceased by his wife, Laverne; his parents, Henry and Lottie Hansen; brother, Virgil; grandson, Sonny Hansen; and daughter-in-law, Sandra (Steve) Hansen. He is survived by sons: David (Betsy) of Meridian; Steve Hansen of Ontario, OR; daughter, Connie (Dave) Tewalt of Meridian; son by choice, Rick (Kathy) Aberasturi of Meridian; sister, Luetta Burrell of Boise; sister, Lavonne Francisco of Payson, AZ, Larry (Marilyn) Hansen of Santa Barbara, CA; numerous nieces and nephews, eleven grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter. Services for Merle A. Hansen will be held 11:00 AM on Friday, June 9, 2017 at the Meridian United Methodist Church, 240 E. Idaho. Military honors will be held at 3:00 PM at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. This date was selected because June 1, 2017 would have been Dad and Mom’s 75th wedding anniversary. Follow up notices will be provided this spring. Dad dedicated his life to the service of others. We, his loving family, hope that we can continue to live up to this lofty goal. We would like to offer our deepest appreciation to grandson Todd Tewalt for his loving and dedicated care of our father and grandfather during his final years. Dad was hard working, courageous and the epitome of integrity. He will be missed.