Larry Hansen

Larry Allan Hansen, 69, of Dayton, Iowa died on December 19, 2014. He was surrounded by his wife and daughters at his home, and passed peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer. Excellent, compassionate care was provided by Unity Point Hospice.

It was Larry's wishes to be cremated. Visitation will be Sunday, December 21, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stratford. A Celebration of Life will be held 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 22, at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Dayton. For online condolences & obituaries please visit: www.carsonstappfuneralhome.com

He was born on May 11, 1945 in Des Moines, Iowa, the only son of Olaf and Pearl (Twedt) Hansen. Larry grew up in Huxley, Iowa, and attended Huxley Consolidated Elementary School and Ballard High School. Larry attended Drake University to pursue a degree in Music Education, receiving both BA and MA degrees. Later he received certification as a secondary school principal at Iowa State University.

He married his high school sweetheart, Linda Jordan, on August 12, 1967, at Palestine Lutheran Church in Huxley. His first job was at Union-Whitten Community Schools that same year, where he taught instrumental music. In 1968 they moved to Dayton, where they stayed for the remainder of his life.

"Mr. Hansen" taught band and music to students in grades 5-12 in Dayton Community School, Central Webster and later Southeast Webster until retiring in 2000. From beginning students learning their first notes, to high schoolers trying out for state competitions, Larry was dedicated to every level of music education. He made sure everyone could get an instrument that needed one, gave private lessons, and proudly marched with his students in every Labor Day parade.

Never one to sit idle, Larry held a number of other positions in the community - both paid and volunteer. He was a bus driver, golf coach, athletic director, referee and score-keeper at school. In the summer he worked for Lundberg Heating and Cooling, Grandview Care Center and the City of Dayton. Both Larry and Linda were active in their church, Emanuel Lutheran in Dayton and then Stratford Evangelical Lutheran. Over the last 20 years Larry was a motorcoach driver for Hawkeye Stages/Northwest Iowa Transportation.

Larry was instrumental in developing the Dayton Rescue Squad and stayed active for 30 years. He was also a volunteer fireman for 22 years. He worked with a close-knit group of people who saved hundreds of lives and became lifelong friends through these two organizations. His ability to deal with injuries and emergency situations was a gift that he shared in so many ways.

Larry was a wonderful trumpet player, and stayed very active as a musician. He was a member of the Fort Dodge Symphony, Central Iowa Symphony Quintet, and Tarnished Brass. His longest running gig was with the Ames Municipal Band, which he joined in high school. He was also the guy behind the curtain at hundreds of high school basketball games playing along with the pep band during half time. His take on Proud Mary was legendary.

Larry and Linda had two daughters Laura Jeanne and Letitia Jan. The Hansen girls learned about the importance of a good work ethic, community involvement, that the arts are essential in our lives. Life lessons included how to drive a stick-shift, the intricacies of lawn care, and golf etiquette. He also tried to teach the importance of reading manuals before starting something, being on time and good navigational directions. However those didn't really stick. Though he won't be with us to enjoy our Christmas Eve lefse dinner, we will always carry on his Norwegian tradition.

Larry is survived by his best friend and wife, Linda, of Dayton; daughter Laura (Teske) and husband Todd; daughter Letitia (Kenemer) and husband Hugo; two grandchildren, Kira Pearl Marcott and Harvey Wyatt Kenemer, who were the absolute joys of his life. Also brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jerold and Joyce Peterson (Ames); niece Jennifer Kreutner (Vinton) and nephew Jarrett Peterson (Ankeny) and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Olaf and Pearl Hansen and his beloved dog, Benji.

Memorials can be directed to the Salvation Army. Memorials directed to the family will be used to fund area music programs.