John “Pete” Hansaker

John “Pete” Hansaker was born in a little two room home in Dallas, Iowa, November 28,
1935, to Donald and Esther (Nelson) Hansaker. When Pete was born, the doctor,
seeing no signs of life, laid him aside to tend to his mother. While caring for his mother,
the doctor dropped a wash pan on him prompting a loud wail. That determination served
him well for 90 years.
At the age of four, the family moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he learned to milk
the family cows and enjoyed days of riding horses bareback. After playing the role of
Peter Rabbit in a second-grade play, he acquired the nickname Pete/Petey, which
followed him throughout his life. After several years in Wyoming, the family returned to
Dallas. In the summer before his senior year, he lived at the YMCA and worked in the
laundry department at Blank Hospital, earning enough money to buy his first car. After
graduation in 1954, he was employed at Firestone Tire and Rubber.
While visiting the Bussey Cafe in 1955 his future wife Ramona, who was a waitress
there, caught his eye. They were married in the Bussey Methodist Church by Grover
Branson on June 30, 1957. With the help of Pete’s family, they built their future home,
where they welcomed five daughters between the years of 1958 and 1963.
Pete worked at Firestone for 36 1/2 years; retiring in 1991 after surviving a major heart
attack and quadruple bypass surgery. He enjoyed spending time with family, golfing,
woodworking, and traveling south for the winters.
The weekend before passing, he was able to enjoy time together at a large family
gathering at his home. He passed away on his and Ramona’s 69th anniversary. His
mind was sharp until the very end; one of the last things he said was an
acknowledgement of their anniversary.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings LaVerne, Merilyn Farrell, Jake,
and Norma Wadle. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Ramona (Force) Hansaker;
children: Rhonda (Jeff) Coon of Clarkston, Washington; Jenny (Tony) Knust of Lacona;
LuAnn (Rick) Leavengood of Melcher-Dallas; Keri (Mike) Miller of Prosper, Texas; and
Jolene (Kevin) Kammermeier of West Des Moines; 11 grandchildren, 21 great
grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild; sister Orbie (Jack) Becker of Indianola; and
brother LeRoy (Carolyn) Hansaker of Melcher-Dallas.
A private family gathering with be held at a later date. Memorials can be made to the M-
D Fire and Rescue or to the Marion County Humane Society in care of Pierschbacher
Funeral Home P.O. Box 701 Melcher-Dallas, Iowa 50163.