Eddie Harlow Hansen, age 89, of Strongs Prairie, Wisconsin died March 18, 2012 at the Moundview Memorial Hospital in Friendship, Wisconsin. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at the Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church in Arkdale, Wisconsin. Pastor Terri Skildum will officiate. Visitation will be 12:00 Noon until the time of service on Tuesday at Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church. Interment will be at the East Arkdale Cemetery, Town of Strongs Prairie, Adams County, Wisconsin. Military Honors will be presented by the Adams County Honor Guard.
Eddie was born October 10, 1922 to Albert and Christina (Johnson) Hansen on a farm homesteaded by his grandparents in 1856 at the corner of Highway 21 and 20th Avenue in Strongs Prairie, Wisconsin. He was the youngest of four boys. His father passed away when Eddie was four and his mother worked diligently to run the farm and raise her boys. When Eddie was of age to attend Adams-Friendship High School, his mother and oldest brother decided that it was more important for Eddie to receive his high school diploma than to continue helping on the farm. After graduation in May of 1941 Eddie wanted to join the Military. He traveled to Chicago to enlist with the United States Army. He was given orders to ship out aboard the USS Wakefield on June 6, 1944. Eddie was with Company H, 315th Infantry, and 79th Division as a heavy machine gun operator. On March 24, 1945 he was seriously wounded on the Rhine River in Germany. After several surgeries he was discharged to civilian life in January of 1947. He worked for Briggs and Stratton in Milwaukee for 11 years. He married Anne Marie Lentz on June 8, 1957 in Waukegan, Illinois. In 1959 he went to work for the United States Post Office as a letter carrier for 17 years. He was forced to retire due to complications from his combat injuries and returned to Arkdale in 1976.
He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, The Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Eddie volunteered at the Tomah V.A. and at the Veterans Home at King where he accumulated more than 5,000 volunteer hours.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Christina Hansen; wife, Anne Marie Hansen (July 14, 2010); four brothers, Arden, Albert, Clifford & Baby
Survivors:
Nephew: Glenn (Donna) Hansen of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Niece: Darlene (Tom) Back of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Sister in Law: Marie Hansen of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Very dear friend: Ed Heideman of Friendship, Wisconsin
further survived by numerous cousins & friends.
You were a dear friend Eddie, and we will all miss you very much. May god bless you very much and welcome you home.
What a dear friend both Eddie and Anne were to me over so many years! Great volunteers at the Tomah VA. I am glad I took the time to have a nice phone call visit with Eddie in late February and reminisce about his good old volunteer days. He so loved his weekly trip here. God Bless and Rest in Peace. I will miss you.
A job well done Eddie
Good by old friend! God bless you.
Eddie you shall be missed. Such a wonderful and kind person. as was Anne. Rest in peace friend.
Arkdale, and the Town of Strongs Prairie, has lost a wonderful person and gentleman. Eddie you will sadly be missed in the community. With your passing, you can now join your dear Anne. May you both spend Eternity together. As you have announced at the funeral’s of many Veterans, may you now hear those very same words and Taps for the last time at yours. May the Great Spirit and our dear Lord above, comfort your loved ones and friends, holding them ever so close. My deepest Sympathy.
So sorry on your loss. May God comfort you during this time