#1 Published in the Enterprise July 6, 1967

WAYNE HANSEN RITES WERE MONDAY

Funeral services were held Monday for Wayne Edward Hansen at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church at Orum. Mr. Hansen had been the victim of a drowning accident on Thursday, June 29th in a small lake in Harrison County, Iowa. He reportedly, fell from a raft while on the like in the company with two companions.

The deceased was born October 18, 1944 at Blair, the son of Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Hansen. He was not married.

He is survived by his parents, a grandfather, Jesse Hansen and by grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Evans. He had ten brothers and sisters. They are LeRoy, Jr., Larry Lee, Ann Marie, Ronald Dean, Roger Allen, Richard, Linda Sue, Gerald Lynn, Edwin Glenn and Sharon Kay.

Burial was made in the Orum Cemetery under the direction of the Campbell Mortuary of Blair.

(The Orum Cemetery is also known as the "Lincoln Cemetery.")

#2-Published in the Pilot-Tribune July 3, 1967

WAYNE HANSEN DROWNED THURSDAY IN HARRISON CO.

Twenty-one year old Wayne Hansen drowned Thursday afternoon at approximately 4 o’clock in a cutoff pond in Harrison County, Iowa.

Hansen and three companions, his brother, Gerald 17; Loren Foster, 17; all of Washington County, had driven to the Missouri River cutoff pond in Iowa.

Foster reported that he and Hansen were on a raft when Hansen apparently fell off the raft into the deep water. Foster stated that he (Foster) had jumped off the raft and was pulled down approximately 15 feet below the water surface by what he thought was a “whirlpool” before he was able to recover himself and get back to shore.

Hansen, who reportedly was unable to swim, went down in deep water, it was stated. It was reported that the depth of the water in the cutoff pond varies from 30 to 60 feet.

The drowning took place on the property of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Chandler, who are constructing a new home just north of the area.

The young men informed Mrs. Chandler regarding the accident. She in turn notified authorities in Blair and her daughter notified authorities in Missouri Valley.

Members of the Blair Rescue Squad, Missouri Valley Rescue Squad, Missouri Valley Rescue Squad officials from the Harrison County Sheriffs office and others rushed to the scene.

Efforts to recover the body of Hansen by use of hooks failed and divers were engaged. The body was recovered Friday evening at approximately 8 o’clock.

The scene of the drowning is approximately two miles east of the Blair Bridge, a mile north and approximately a half mile east on the right had side of the road.

A railroad bridge, which can be seen by those traveling Hiway 30 passed over the water. The cutoff pond was established many years ago when the Missouri River flooded. Wrecked cars had been dumped into the water for some time.

Wayne is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Hansen who reside in the Orum-Spiker area west of Blair.

The Campbell Mortuary is in charge of arrangements which had not been completed at press time Saturday. The funeral tentatively was set for Monday. The obituary will appear in Thursday issue of the Enterprise.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

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