In Memory of Mike ‘‘Hans’’ Hansen

Mike “Hans” Hansen
Mike “Hans” Hansen

Mike “Hans” Hansen, 70, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, May 12, 2022. 

Born October 18, 1951, in Iowa City, the son of Bud and Berniece “BC” Hansen, Mike lived and worked in Iowa City his entire life. He attended City High School his sophomore and junior years where he was a member of the Little Hawk Marching Band and when school boundaries changed, he became a proud West High Trojan in the school’s first graduating class of 1969. His class was very close, and his female classmates lovingly nicknamed him “Bubbles” and the guys called him “Hans” which stuck as reflected on his license plate, “Hans 1”. Mike played basketball for West and after high school he was a regular at the scoreboard table at home games. He played slow pitch softball in Coralville for the Time Out Coaches Corner and the Sports Column and wore #1 as the team pitcher. He attended the University of Iowa and was a loyal Hawkeye fan and an avid follower of football, baseball, and men and women’s basketball. 

Mike was a coach at heart. He loved kids of all ages and enjoyed coaching little league baseball for his nephews with his brother-in-law, Phil. He was an assistant coach of 9th grade junior high boys basketball and coached a westside AAU traveling basketball team, the Sun Devils, who won the state championship in 1973-75. Those kids now adults, remained close with Mike and have lasting memories to cherish with their former coach. 

Mike served as Administrator / Secretary of the Iowa City Moose Lodge from 1982-1993, later moving to a job where he spent the majority of his working career in pricing at Plumbers Supply in Iowa City. Before fully retiring, Mike worked at Dodge Street Tire until 2020.  

He was a longtime member of Iowa City Moose Lodge #1096 and deeply committed in his service to several lodge committees. Mike was named District Moose Legionnaire of the Year in 1995. He received his Moose Fellowship Degree in 1996 and earned his gold jacket and Pilgrim Degree in 2003. He was District 2 President from 2000-2002 where he was recognized as District President of the Year. Mike was most proud of his leadership in the Lodge Ritual Staff from 1999-2009 where he competed in 9 State, 10 Midwest regional, and 11 International competitions. He placed 1st individually in 9 State competitions, was a part of eight team championships, and was named outstanding Ritualist in 2003, 2006, and 2007. His other individual and team awards are too numerous to mention. 

Mike is survived by his sisters, Sue Hansen (Tom Van Coillie) of Fairfield and Soni Harney of Iowa City; nephews, Brock Harney (Heather) of La Crosse, WI and Drew Harney (Sarah) of Tiffin; great nieces and nephews, Nora, Conor, Jack and Cole Harney; several aunts, an uncle and cousins. 

His parents and grandparents, his brother-in-law, Phil Harney and several aunts and uncles preceded him in death.