Harland H. Hansen, age 77 of the Town of Larrabee, Waupaca County, passed into eternal life with the Lord on Thursday, October 23, 2014 with his wife Alice at his side.
Harland fought a courageous battle with cancer. His goal was to see his granddaughter, Stephanie, married and he lived to celebrate the day with her. Harland was born October 9, 1937 in the Town of Matteson, Waupaca County as the son of the late Louie and Mildred (Jorgensen) Hansen. Upon graduation from Clintonville High School in 1955, Harland proudly served his country along with his brothers, Lyle, Gerald, Kenneth, Ronald, and brother-in-law; Jan. In 1956 he married Wanda Morris. They had three children, Robin, Michael, and Daniel. On July 6, 1985 he married Alice (Mielke) Gerbig and they shared 29 years together. Harland worked for Midwest Breeders from 1962 until his retirement in January of 2000. While working for Midwest Breeders, he achieved the 100,000 Cow Achievement Award. Upon his retirement he enjoyed working for his son Michael at Riverside Golf Course.
Harland loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed playing cards and was very proud of his gardens. Harland was always sharing his crops with family and friends. He was often teased for having so many gardens and growing so much and then giving it away. He also made sure you knew which gardens were his and which were Alice’s. He would often remind her to stay in her own gardens. Often Harland was seen giving his grandchildren rides in the golf cart around the yard. His love for the outdoors took him to the mountains out west where he enjoyed many hunting trips with his buddies. He was proud to have shot moose, elk, deer, and oryx. Harland and Alice enjoyed traveling together, especially to Europe where Harland was especially fond of the Christmas markets in Germany. As a dedicated Chicago Bears and Cubs fan, Harland’s boisterous “cheers” could often be heard throughout the house. He also never missed the Wisconsin Badgers.
Harland will be sadly missed by: his wife, Alice; children, Michael (Dawn) Hansen, Daniel (Candida) Hansen; step-children, Sheldon (friend Aime Overland) Gerbig, and Todd (Jane) Gerbig; grandchildren, Jason Phillips, Stephanie (Barry) Eggert, Hanna and Louie Hansen; step-grandchildren: Katelynn Booth, Sydney Gerbig, Ethan Gerbig, Fr. Tim Brandt, Jennifer (Jeff) Block, Jessica (Bill) Zera, and Brad (Saide) Brandt; great-grandchildren, Alex and Star Frasier; four brothers, Lyle (Janet), Gerald (Arlene), Kenneth (Geri), and Arlyn (Kathy) Hansen; four sisters: Leila Skorczewski, Arlene (Mick) Karchinski, Jean (friend Susie Hein) Hansen, and Joan (Dave) Millard; sister-in-law, Joan Hansen; many nieces, nephews, and other family members. Harland will also be missed by his many buddies and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter and son-in-law, Robin (Michael) Phillips; a brother, Ronald Hansen; a brother-in-law, Jan Skorczewski, and a sister-in-law, Cleo Hansen.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 25, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Christus Lutheran Church in Clintonville with Rev. Brian Crocker officiating. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Clintonville with Military Honor Rites conducted by members of the VFW Post #664 and American Legion Post 63 of Clintonville. Friends may call from 4 – 7 p.m. Friday at the Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory in Clintonville and at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers Harland’s family would appreciate memorials to Christus Lutheran Church. www.eberhardtstevenson.com