Ruth Hanson

Ruth Hanson, a long time resident of Jefferson, died peacefully on June 23, 2011, at the age of 96, at Sunrise of La Jolla, her assisted care residence in San Diego, California. Born Maryette Ruth Hastings on May 4, 1915, in Hardin Township, to Elmer and Mary (Hall) Hastings, Ruth was the third of five children including her brothers Charles,Elmer Dean and, and her sisters, Corinne and Beatrice. While living on the family farm, Ruth attended country school near Paton, and then attended Jefferson High School, graduating in 1932. Throughout school, she was active in 4-H at the local levels. Later, Ruth moved to Iowa City to attend the University of Iowa, where she was also employed in the Office of the Dean of Men, working as a secretary for Dean Rienow. She graduated in 1938, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and then returned home to Jefferson. That same year, Ruth was married to William C. Hanson, also a native of Jefferson and a graduate of the University of Iowa Law School. Mr. Hanson established a law practice in Jefferson, and Ruth worked in her husband's law offices until 1939, when he became County Attorney. In 1954, Mr. Hanson was elected to the Iowa District Court, and then in 1962, he was appointed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. He continued to serve as a federal judge until his retirement in 1990. During her husband's career as an attorney and judge, Ruth raised a family of six children, managed two farms, and volunteered extensively with the local schools, her church and a variety of community organizations. She was active as a member of the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson, United Methodist Women and various Circles of the church, as well as P.E.O. Chapter CZ, Signet Chapter Number 1 of the Order of Eastern Star. Ruth also assisted in her children's many activities, including 4-H, Boy Scouts of America, and Little League. Her favorite hobbies included cooking, gardening, sewing and collecting antiques. In the spring and summer, she enjoyed tramping through the timber on her farm near Rippey to hunt for mushrooms and wildflowers. In 1988, Judge and Mrs. Hanson celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary with a party in Jefferson which was attended by all of their children and grandchildren and many old friends. Education was a priority in Ruth's life and she communicated that spirit to her six children and all of her descendants. She raised two physicians and four lawyers, and many of her grandchildren have completed post-graduate or are currently studying at universities around the nation. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and siblings and by her husband of 57 years, Judge William C. Hanson. She is survived by her six children: James W. Hanson, M.D. (Elizabeth Thomson) of Bethesda, Maryland, Thomas D. Hanson (Patricia Kehoe) of Des Moines, Robert B. Hanson (Ann) of West Des Moines, and Jay D. Hanson (Mary), Cynthia G. Rushing (Don), and R. Elaine Hanson, M.D. (Bruce Robbins, M.D.), all of San Diego, California, as well as thirteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren living across the country. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday July 16, 2011 at the United Methodist Church, in Jefferson, with burial in the Jefferson Cemetery. A visitation will be Friday July 15 at Hastings Funeral Home, in Jefferson with family present from 6:00until 8:00p.m. In lieu of flowers, Ruth's family suggests that donations in her honor be sent to Jefferson-Scranton School Foundation, P.O. Box 351 Jefferson, IA., or to P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education, or the P. E. O. Scholar Awards, (P.E.O. International Headquarter, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50312