Melvin H. Hansen

Des Moines

Melvin Hansen, 90, passed away Friday, September 10, 2010 surrounded by his loving family at Taylor House Hospice after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel with burial at Resthaven Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time Tuesday at McLaren’s.

Melvin was born August 14, 1920 in Independence, Iowa to Elmer and Mabel (Nelson) Hansen. He graduated from Independence High School and then Life Bible College in Los Angeles, CA with a 3 year degree in divinity.

He faithfully ministered for 19 years at various churches in Ohio and Iowa. In 1961, Melvin retired from the ministry and began working as an interior decorator. Melvin recently celebrated his 90th birthday and 70 wonderful years with his loving wife, Viva.

Melvin was preceeded in death by his parents, brother, Homer Henry Hansen, and sister, Wyvona Lucille Willis. He is survived by his wife, Viva (Fairchild); three daughters, Judy Sandvig, Cindy (Larry) Johnson and Pat (Ron) Brown; two brothers, Bernard (Berniece) Hansen and Jack ( Shirlee) Hansen; two sisters, Darlene (Graham) Crow and Arlene Troyer; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren.

Melvin’s family gives a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Angela Sandre, nurses and staff of John Stoddard Cancer Center and Taylor House Hospice for their loving care of Melvin. Memorial contributions may be made to Taylor House Hospice.