Roland "Rollie" Eugene Hansen
April 24, 1936 — February 28, 2023
Roland Eugene Hansen, son of Clifford and Emma E. (Rattenborg) Hansen was born on April 24, 1936, on a farm near Audubon, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Audubon. He attended country school and graduated from Audubon High School.
After high school, Rollie joined the United States Army. On May 28, 1955, he was united in marriage to Peggy Lou Andersen, while he was home on a leave from the army. He was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, where they lived until he was deployed to Germany during the Korean War.
After his discharge, he and Peggy moved to a farm near Poplar, Iowa. They farmed there and near Kirkman until moving to a farm near Kimballton. Rollie along with farming, was a substitute mail carrier for Frank Lange. When Frank retired in 1979, Rollie took over his mail route. In 1979, he and Peggy moved into their new home in Elk Horn, Iowa. He served several years on the Iowa Rural Letter Carriers Association board, traveling to Washington, D.C. 5 times during his years as President and State Steward. In 1999, Rollie retired, followed by Peggy in 2000. In retirement they were able to enjoy traveling together, visiting Denmark twice, and spending many years traveling anywhere from Arizona to Battle Lake, Minnesota to Hollie and Wade’s fishing resort. They made it to 49 states, all except Alaska.
Rollie was a Sunday School teacher, served on the church councils (Bethlehem and Elk Horn Lutheran). He was on the City Council and was mayor of Elk Horn from 1996 to 2000. Rollie and Peggy were Tivoli King and Queen in 2005. He served on the School Board, Salem Lutheran Home Council, Better Elk Horn Club, and was a member of the American Legion, the Danish Windmill Corporation, and the Danish Museum. He helped organized the Awanas Club. He also helped on the Rescue Squad in Elk Horn, and officiated baseball, softball, and basketball games until his kids started to participate. At a couple of games he needed to call them out!
He enjoyed “cheating at cards” (his words), golf, woodworking, and watching his grandkids grow up. He was a Big Cub Fan, “Go Cubbies” again his words. And Iowa Hawkeye both Men and Women’s teams. Hoping to see Jan Jensen, their Godchild on TV.
Rollie became a resident at Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, where he passed away on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, attaining the age of eighty-six years, ten months, and four days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings Lowene Nelson, Dalton Hansen, and Betsy Nelsen.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years Peggy Hansen of Elk Horn, Iowa; children Keli Hansen of Elk Horn, Iowa; Steve Hansen (Julie Brewer) of Greenfield, Iowa; Hollie (Wade) Mills of Cape Coral, Florida; 9 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; sister Mardelle (Duane) Mortensen of Ankeny, Iowa; brothers-in-law Tom Nelsen of Audubon, Iowa; Jerry (Sharol) Andersen of Atlantic, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.
After high school, Rollie joined the United States Army. On May 28, 1955, he was united in marriage to Peggy Lou Andersen, while he was home on a leave from the army. He was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, where they lived until he was deployed to Germany during the Korean War.
After his discharge, he and Peggy moved to a farm near Poplar, Iowa. They farmed there and near Kirkman until moving to a farm near Kimballton. Rollie along with farming, was a substitute mail carrier for Frank Lange. When Frank retired in 1979, Rollie took over his mail route. In 1979, he and Peggy moved into their new home in Elk Horn, Iowa. He served several years on the Iowa Rural Letter Carriers Association board, traveling to Washington, D.C. 5 times during his years as President and State Steward. In 1999, Rollie retired, followed by Peggy in 2000. In retirement they were able to enjoy traveling together, visiting Denmark twice, and spending many years traveling anywhere from Arizona to Battle Lake, Minnesota to Hollie and Wade’s fishing resort. They made it to 49 states, all except Alaska.
Rollie was a Sunday School teacher, served on the church councils (Bethlehem and Elk Horn Lutheran). He was on the City Council and was mayor of Elk Horn from 1996 to 2000. Rollie and Peggy were Tivoli King and Queen in 2005. He served on the School Board, Salem Lutheran Home Council, Better Elk Horn Club, and was a member of the American Legion, the Danish Windmill Corporation, and the Danish Museum. He helped organized the Awanas Club. He also helped on the Rescue Squad in Elk Horn, and officiated baseball, softball, and basketball games until his kids started to participate. At a couple of games he needed to call them out!
He enjoyed “cheating at cards” (his words), golf, woodworking, and watching his grandkids grow up. He was a Big Cub Fan, “Go Cubbies” again his words. And Iowa Hawkeye both Men and Women’s teams. Hoping to see Jan Jensen, their Godchild on TV.
Rollie became a resident at Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, where he passed away on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, attaining the age of eighty-six years, ten months, and four days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings Lowene Nelson, Dalton Hansen, and Betsy Nelsen.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years Peggy Hansen of Elk Horn, Iowa; children Keli Hansen of Elk Horn, Iowa; Steve Hansen (Julie Brewer) of Greenfield, Iowa; Hollie (Wade) Mills of Cape Coral, Florida; 9 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; sister Mardelle (Duane) Mortensen of Ankeny, Iowa; brothers-in-law Tom Nelsen of Audubon, Iowa; Jerry (Sharol) Andersen of Atlantic, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.
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