Thomas E. Hanigan

Thomas Edward Hanigan, 88, formerly of Denison, Iowa died Friday, December 4, 2015 at the Dunlap Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Dunlap, IA. Tom was born November 7, 1927, in Spalding, Nebraska, the second child of John Carlisle and Kathleen (Sullivan) Hanigan. He attended country school in Spalding until the fifth grade. In 1937, he moved to Denison with his parents, where he attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic School through the eighth grade. He graduated from Denison High School in 1945; after graduation he worked for his father in their implement business as well as on their farm. In 1950, he was drafted into the United States Army, serving in the Korean War. He married Evonne Olson in 1957, and they settled on a farm outside of Denison. Tom and Evonne had six children. Tom spent much of his life farming. Making a career change, he started driving a semi for various businesses. This occupation took him all over the United States, which suited him well due to his love of travel. His favorite vacation destination was Mexico, visiting it often and eventually living there for several years. He was also an avid reader, passing this love on to his children. Tom’s greatest passion, however, was history, particularly WWII. He spent a great deal of time reading history books and watching documentaries and the History Channel. Tom was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dunlap, the American Legion, and the Knights of Columbus. Tom is survived by his children: Dr. Mark Hanigan (Jean) of Blacksburg, Virginia, and their children; Beth Schaben (Joe) of Dunlap, Iowa, and their two children; Dr. Michael Hanigan (Lisa) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and their four children; Dr. Tim Hanigan (Christina) of Garden City, Kansas, and their three children; Ann Hanigan-Kotz (John) of Adel, Iowa; and Sue Hanigan (Mike Trapp) of Morgan Hill, California, and their three children. He is also survived by his siblings: LaGene Webb of Denison; Claire Brown (Bud) of Spalding, Nebraska; Sr. Celeste Hanigan of San Diego, California; and Daniel Hanigan (Joan) of Valencia, California.