Leader Publications

Samuel Hansen, 88

Born: Feb. 2, 1924

Died: Nov. 24, 2012

Samuel Hansen, 88, of Dowagiac, passed away at his home surrounded by family on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012.

Samuel was born on Feb. 2, 1924, to the late Samuel Hansen and Rosa Julia Marie Nielsen Rorby in Battle Creek.

Sam Hansen, Cassopolis pharmacist

He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1942 and in 1951 from Ferris State University with a bachelor of science degree in pharmacy.

Samuel honorably served in the U.S. Army Air Force as a sergeant in the 14^th Air Force (China), in the Flying Tigers from 1942 to 1945.  He was a second lieutenant in ROTC at Michigan State University armored division from 1946 to 1953.

On June 19, 1948, Samuel wed Marjorie C. Brockman in Detroit.

Along with his wife of 63 years, they have three daughters: Catharine (Tim) Niemi of Biwabik, Minn., Suzanne (Barry) Hague of Edwardsburg and Gayle (Steve) Neher of North Port, Fla; seven grandchildren, Corey (Sybil) Hague, Cara Hague, David (Miriam) Niemi, Charles (Pamela) Niemi, Jeffery (Jenny) Niemi, Samuel Neher and Scott Neher; 11 great-grandchildren, Brennan, Peyton, Wesley, Mason, Ella, Henry, Jesse, Elizabeth, Lucas, Kathleen and EmmaLee.

Samuel has a surviving sister, Rosemary (John) Christenson of Marshfield, Wis.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Irene Hansen, Marion (John) Beglin and Carl Hansen.

Samuel owned Hansen’s Drug Store from 1956-1978 in Cassopolis.

He was an active community member, belonging to the Backus Lodge 55, the Cassopolis Exchange Club, the Niles Shrine Club, the Royal Order of Jesters and Billikins of Pinellas County in Florida, Cozy Carvers, the Fruit Belt Woodcarvers, the Kalamazoo Valley Wood Carvers, the Les Cheneaux Yacht Club and the Les Cheneaux Lions Club.  Samuel served in civic organizations:  supervisor, Jefferson Township; Cassopolis Village Council; Cassopolis School Board; Cassopolis Intermediate School Board; director, First National Bank of Cassopolis; and a member of the board of directors on the Cass County Council of Aging.

Samuel enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, wildlife, woodcarving, painting, reading American history, working in the kitchen at the COA, the cabin on Marquette Island in Cedarville and walking the Mackinac Bridge every Labor Day weekend.

A celebration of life will be at the Cass County Council of Aging, 60525 Decatur Road, Cassopolis, on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, from 4 to 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Cass County Council on Aging and the Shriners Children Hospital in Chicago (Niles Shrine Club) are appreciated.

A service at Fort Custer in Augusta will be held at a later date.