Timothy Gerard Hanson Sr.

Timothy Gerard Hanson Sr., age 63, of Altoona, passed away surrounded by loved ones, Thursday, December 26, 2019. Tim will be remembered by all for his easy smile and quick jokes. Tim was born on December 3, 1956 in Des Moines, Iowa to Madonna Cooper Hanson and Dr. Robert Hanson Sr. Tim graduated from East High School in 1975 and received an associate’s degree in diesel mechanics from DMACC in 1979. Tim spent 25+ years serving Des Moines area car dealerships and body shops as a salesman for The Body Parts Store. Even though he retired in 2019, he always considered his team at The Body Parts Store family. Tim’s brother, Tom, had hoped he would follow in his footsteps as an athlete, but Tim found his true love under the hood of his brother Jim’s stock car. That’s where the need for speed began. Tim started his racing career in the late 1970’s. He raced late model stock cars at several tracks across the state of Iowa. His full throttle personality never slowed down. Tim’s greatest accomplishments came with the titles “Proud Dad” and “Papa Tim”. Tim was happiest hosting friends and family, smoking meat, and cracking a cold beverage. His kindness and generosity were always available to those lucky enough to know him. Tim was at home on the water. He spent countless summers at the “Hanson’s Hilton” on Lake Ponderosa. He also enjoyed the relaxing ocean while on his cruise adventures. Tim loved a good deal and could take on any project, from restoring cars to making creative things for his friends at the lake, he was incredibly skilled with his hands. Tim’s memory will be cherished by his children, Tim (Sarah) Hanson Jr. and Missy (Eric) Johnson; siblings Tom (Jan) Hanson, Paula Patrick, and Theresa Voss; stepmother Betty Hanson; grandchildren Eleanor and Olivia Hanson, Eli and Evan Johnson; as well as his nieces and nephews. Tim was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert James Hanson Jr. (Jim). Visitation will be held at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home in Urbandale on Thursday, January 2nd from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. A Celebration Of Life will follow at Jethro’s BBQ & Bacon on 22nd Street, in West Des Moines from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Memorial donations may be made to the Children’s Tumor Foundation at join.ctf.org or Children’s Tumor Foundation 370 Lexington Ave, Suite 2100, New York, NY 10017.