Dr. Leroy Jack Hanson, age 91, of Windsor Heights, Iowa, went to be with his Lord on April 20, 2022. He died peacefully at home surrounded by loving family and friends.
Leroy's life began on April 9, 1931, in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin, where he was born to Carl and Eileen (Broetzman) Hanson. His parents had a small family farm and he learned from a young age the value of hard work and perseverance. From his early education in a one-room schoolhouse to college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Illinois in Urbana, he pursued his educational goals, financing his own education. In 1957, he completed a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Animal Nutrition. While pursuing his advanced studies, he also served with the military in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps from 1952-1954. Moving to Des Moines, he first worked for Foxbilt Feeds Inc., as a general nutritionist. In 1961, he became one of the founding partners of Triple "F" Feeds along with Wayne Fox, Kenneth Lepley, and Francis "Slats" Satterlee. Triple "F" Feeds was innovative in developing the dry extrusion process (Insta-Pro International), the use of probiotics (MediPharm USA) and the production of textured soy protein (Specialty Proteins LLC) as part of their decades-long international agribusiness company. His work grew and expanded until he retired in 2012 at the age of 80, as he sought to serve a growing industry, taking him to do business in over 70 different countries.
Leroy also enjoyed serving on diverse boards and meeting people through leadership. For many years he served on the Board of Directors for National Travelers Life Insurance, on the Advisory Council of Biotechnology and Advisory Board of College of Home Economics at Iowa State University, the Advisory Board for International Agriculture at the University of Illinois, as a past president of National Feed Ingredients Associates, and president of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Des Moines. In each of these endeavors he enjoyed the process of mentoring and learning, always trying to challenge himself to meet a new need. Even in his later years, he would often begin the day with a question, "Who can we be a blessing to today?" In his 80's he and his daughter Amy developed a nutritional product for pets (Füreverwell), and later launched a probiotic and immune system support for human use (Authentic Probiotics Plus). In every endeavor, he always trusted in the guidance of the Holy Spirit and shared his faith in our loving Heavenly Father.
In 1956, he married Naomi (Gade) and together they had five children. Family, friends, church family, and loving neighbors were a big part of Leroy's life. He never missed a chance to ask about his grandchildren or tell them he was proud of them. He and Naomi traveled extensively and yet always enjoyed going back to visit the family farm or spending time gardening at the cabin he built on Lake Panorama.
Leroy was preceded in death by his parents, his devoted wife of 62 years, Naomi, infant twin children Martha and Nathan, and a son-in-law, Patrick O'Neal. He is survived by his children, Jennifer O'Neal, Amy (Todd) Treimer, and Carl (ChenHsi) Hanson; grandchildren, John (Kaitlyn), Grace, and James O'Neal, Jordan (Faryn), Benjamin (Angela), Michaela, Elise, Alanna, Noah, Isabel, and Isaac Treimer, Emma, Andrea, and Lydia Hanson; great-grandchildren, Tzara and Samuel; brothers, Paul and Robert Hanson and many loving nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the many friends and relatives who enriched our father's life in his last years, visiting him at home and giving him opportunities to show hospitality, particularly his caregiver Veronica and his good friend Ray.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, from 4-7 p.m. at the Iles Westover Chapel, 6337 Hickman Rd Des Moines, IA. A funeral service will take place on the following day, Thursday, April 28, at 10:00 a.m. at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church located at 5625 Franklin in Des Moines, Iowa. A luncheon will be provided at the church with burial to follow at 12:30 p.m. at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery located near Van Meter, Iowa.
Memorials may be directed to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and School.
For those unable to attend, the funeral service will be livestreamed. A link will appear, just prior to the service, on Leroy's obituary page at www.IlesCares.com, where you may also leave online condolences.
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Published by Iles Funeral Homes - Westover Chapel - Des Moines on Apr. 23, 2022.
