Phyllis M. Hanson , 87, of Merrill, Iowa, passed away Thursday, June 6, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society in Le Mars.

Memorial Service will be 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.  Pastor Mike Metten of ReJoice! Community Church in Le Mars will officiate.  Burial will be at a later date in Union Township Cemetery, rural Le Mars.  Visitation with the family present will be from 6:00 p.m. until service time on Tuesday at the funeral home.  Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.  Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

Phyllis Mary Lanegan was born December 27, 1931 in Anthon, Iowa, the daughter of John and Rachel (Stevens) Lanegan. She attended school in Anthon and graduated from Anthon High School in 1950. While in school, she participated in several sports.

She was united in marriage to Harlan Hanson on June 9, 1950 in Anthon. After Harlan enlisted in the service, she went with him while he was serving in the United States Army. Following his honorable discharge, they moved back to Northwest Iowa.

Phyllis and Harlan made many moves over the years. They first lived in Cherokee, Iowa before moving to Atchison, Kansas. Later, they returned to the area and lived in Sioux City before moving to a farm in Union Township, rural Plymouth County, Iowa. While on the farm, they were members of Union Presbyterian Church. After a short time in Nisland, South Dakota, they settled in Merrill. After their children were grown, Phyllis worked various jobs in the area, including as a receptionist for Floyd Valley Hospital. Harlan passed away May 20, 2019.

Phyllis was a member of ReJoice! Community Church in Le Mars. She volunteered for many years at the Floyd Valley Hospital Auxiliary, Plymouth County Museum, and Park Place Estates in Le Mars. Phyllis enjoyed tending to her flower gardens and her yard. She also enjoyed corresponding with her Pen Pal in Puerto Rico, and after 40 years, she was able to meet her in person. Over the years, she and Harlan enjoyed taking road trips and going to all their grandchildren's and great grandchildren's activities and programs. She was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and enjoyed watching sports.

Survivors include her children: Jana (Dan) Hoppe of Le Mars, Jeff (Connie) Hanson of Le Mars, Jay Hanson of Sioux Falls, SD, and Jon (Karla) Hanson of Grimes, IA; 9 grandchildren: Chad (Jill) Hoppe, Tyler (Stephanie) Hoppe, Maria (Dan) Goodman, Alison Hanson, Tim (Danielle) Hanson, Tiffany (Nick) Suarez, Elizabeth Hanson, Sam Hanson, and Ben Hanson; 11 great grandchildren; her brother: Darrell Lanegan; a sister in law: Patsy (Walt) Morrow; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Rachel Lanegan; her husband, Harlan Hanson; her father and mother in law: Ernest and Essie Hanson; 3 brothers: Bob, John, and Phil Lanegan; and her in laws: Irene (Richard) Rolfs and Loren Hanson.