Merl Hansen

Merl Hansen, age 87 of WI Rapids, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 9, 2017 at Our House Assisted Living in Wisconsin Rapids after battling Parkinson’s Disease for a number of years.

He was born Aug 5th, 1929 in Plainfield Wisconsin, the eldest son of Edith and Harry Hansen.  Merl grew up with one older sister, Esther, and three younger brothers Phil, Jerry and Larry.

Merl graduated from Plainfield High School in 1948 and then served in the 57th 3rd Armed Division in Korea.  After his return he married Joyce Ellis of Plainfield, they had six children and were married for 59 years before Joyce’s death in 2013.

He worked for White Bros. Construction before starting his long career with Wood County Telephone Company, retiring in 1988.

With his gift of gab Merl always had a joke and a story to tell.  Some of his hobbies included hunting, fly fishing, playing softball, snowmobiling, stock car racing, restoring old tractors and belonging to the Tri-County Threshermans Assoc.  Merl and Joyce enjoyed going to dances and kicking up their heels.

Merl will be sadly missed by his children: Ken (Special friend, Amy Fuller) Hansen, Brenda (Dennis)Gerard, Keith (Janet) Hansen, all of Wisconsin Rapids, Kevin (Penny) Hansen, Kansas, Barb (Wayne) Challoner, Alaska and son-in-law Kevin Garrigan, Nekoosa. Grandchildren: Ciji, Cody, Adam, Tim, Nathan, Matt, Emma, Keagan and Kelsey. Great grandchildren: Little Timmy, Remington, and Oakley.  Siblings:  Jerry(Virginia) Hansen, Larry Hansen, sister-in-law Jenny Hansen. In-Laws; Pearl Mclaughlin, Charlotte (Russell) Marshall, and Bob Ellis.  Merl was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Joyce, daughter Bonnie Garrigan, sister and brother-in-law Esther & Wayne Kramer, brother Phil Hansen, sister-in-law Hazel Hansen, daughter-in-law Jean Hansen.

The Hansen family would like to thank Merl’s many caregivers, especially the staff at Our House Assisted Living for all of their kindness, help and support.