Donald E. Hanson Donald E. Hanson, 86, of Waterloo, died Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at Windhaven of natural causes. He was born April 26, 1926, in Cottonwood, Minnesota, son of Elfie and Marian Elizabeth Throop Hanson. He married Helen Joanne Masters in Maryville, Missouri, December 23, 1950. She died June 28, 2010. Mr. Hanson served in the US. Navy during World War II. He received his Ph. D. in education from Western Michigan University, his master's degree from University of Wyoming, and his bachelor's degree from Missouri State University, Maryville. He served the Waterloo Community School District as a history teacher, track coach, and vice principal at East High School, and was associate superintendent/personnel director and superintendent, retiring in 1988. He also was an adjunct professor of education at the University of Northern Iowa and taught at Upper Iowa University. Mr. Hanson was elected to the Iowa State Legislature in 1990, serving until 1996. He was on the Waterloo Community School board, where he also served as president from 1996 until his retirement in 2008, was past president of Waterloo Downtown Kiwanis, on the board of elders at Grace Lutheran Church, and a board member of Goodwill Industries. Survived by: two sons, Mark (Mary) of Ottumwa and Andrew (Tracey) of Washington D. C.; a daughter, Debora (Craig) Olson of Waterloo; and six grandchildren, David (Brittany) Finnegan, Megan (Nick) Kelley, Andrew Finnegan, Benjamin Finnegan, Daniel Hanson and Scott Hanson. Preceded in death by: a brother, Frank Services: 10:30 a.m Monday at Grace Lutheran Church, with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery. Public visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Parrott & Wood Chapel of Memories, and will continue for an hour before services Monday at the church. Military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post 138 and Waterloo Post 1623 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Memorials: may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice or Grace Lutheran Church Condolences may be left at www.overtonservice.com Donald was an avid golfer, enjoyed gardening, woodworking, and carving. He loved his grandchildren dearly, but, after his wife Helen's passing, his dog Buffi became his closest friend and constant companion. Copyright Waterloo Courier on-line edition; downloaded July 2, 2012.
