Robert M. Hansen, age 74, of Odebolt, Iowa died Thursday, October 6, 2005 at his home.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, October 10, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Odebolt, with Father John McGuirk officiating.  Burial will be in St. Martin’s Catholic Cemetery in Odebolt. The Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Odebolt is in charge of the arrangements.

Friends may call at the Farber & Otteman Home in Odebolt on Sunday, October 9, 2005 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., where the family will be present.  The rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. and a parish vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m. 

Robert Mark Hansen was born on February 17, 1931 in Lake View, Iowa to Harry and Thelma (Park) Hansen.  He was baptized in the Presbyterian faith and later baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Odebolt.  He grew up in Odebolt, graduating from Odebolt High School with the class of 1949.  Bob excelled in all sports and was the indoor and outdoor half-mile state champion.

On September 24, 1949 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Odebolt, he married Betty Duffy.  Bob and Betty were blessed with five children; Nancy, Patty, Mark, Steven and Kristy.

Bob was employed as a claims representative with Iowa Mutual Insurance Company for 39 years until his retirement on January 1, 1993.

He enjoyed the outdoors, cooking, and helping work on his sons’ racecars.  He loved thunderstorms and listening to the rain.  He also loved to travel and he and Betty enjoyed spending winters in Arizona and Florida.  His grandchildren were the light of his life and he looked forward to every visit and holiday that gathered them near to him.  Bob’s family and the times they spent together were treasured above all else.  He will be missed by all those who love him.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 56 years, Betty; children: Nancy and Michael Schmitz of Arnolds Park, Iowa; Patty and Mark Collison of Urbandale, Iowa; Mark and Pam Hansen of Odebolt, Iowa; Steven Hansen of St. Joseph, Missouri; and Kristy and Joe Dewey of West Des Moines, Iowa.  Bob is also survived by his sixteen grandchildren: Cara (Jared) Gerlock and Eric Svalstad; Shelley (Jesse) Diehl and Missy, Katie, and Ashley Brinkman; Christopher (Paige) Hansen, Heather (Michael) King and Rachel, Alison, and Marcus Hansen;  Michael, Scott, and Kellen Hansen;  Alex and Anna Dewey;  and one great-granddaughter, Lily Diehl; brothers: Douglas Hansen of Storm Lake, Iowa and Daniel and Charlotte Hansen of Sarasota, Florida; sister Donna and Lowell Ryan of Lake Challapa, Mexico; bothers-in-law: Richard Duffy of Odebolt, Iowa, Walt and Pat Duffy of Lincoln, Nebraska, Dale Einspahr of Odebolt, Iowa, Ed Smith of Phoenix, Arizona; sister-in-law Phyllis Gardner of Odebolt, Iowa.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Reverend Doyle Hansen; his niece, Mary Catherine Hansen; brother-in-law Donald J. Gardner; sisters-in-law Pat Smith and Joan Einspahr; great nephew Scott Barnes; and parents-in-law Walter and Amelia Duffy.