Rolyn Emery Hansen

Rolyn Emery Hansen, 97, passed away July 30, 2016 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, IA. Memorial services will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, August 29 at United Methodist Church in Holstein with burial at the Holstein Cemetery. Family will greet friends at the church from Noon until 1:00 PM before services. Rolyn was born September 19, 1918 to Henry and Amanda (Kettlesen) Hansen on a farm near Battle Center in Ida County. He attended country school in Ida County. Rolyn began his military service in the United State Army, August 21, 1941. He received state side training at Fort Des Moines, Iowa; Fort Warren, Wyoming; Fort Lewis, Washington and Fort Dix, New Jersey. He spent 39 months overseas in the Middle East area of Iran, the Persian Gulf and Russia, delivering medical supplies and other materials near the Russian front. Rolyn attained the rank of Sergeant and received an honorable discharge on November 1, 1945. He received the Bronze Medal from the Russian embassy for his outstanding courage, the Good Conduct Medal, plus numerous other medals and ribbons. He was a member of the Dessel Schmidt Legion Post #225 in Holstein where he happily donated countless hours of service. He was united in marriage to Mildred Krager of Holstein at Yakima, Washington on July 15, 1942. After discharge from the Army, Rolyn worked one year at Swift Packing in Sioux City. He then returned to farming north of Cushing and later farmed east of Holstein until he retired in 1980. Rolyn continued working part time for several summers in agriculture for Vohs and Miller. Rolyn and Mildred enjoyed many years at the lakes with their family and friends and also were a well known dance couple at area ballrooms. Rolyn loved hunting, fishing and riding motorcycles. He also enjoyed getting the best deal and was known as a tough trader to many an implement and boat dealer. He was mechanically minded and performed nearly all the maintenance and repair work on his farm equipment. He is survived by his three children, Karen (Terry) Rolles of West Des Moines, Bonnie (Marion) Conover of Adel, and Larry (Vickie) Hansen of Frankfort, Illinois; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred; three brothers, Alva, Harry and Harvey and three sisters, Ella, Elsie and Josephine. Memorial contributions may be directed to Dessel Schmidt Legion Post #225 in Holstein. Online condolences may be left on this site.