Bob and Carol Hanson 65th wedding anniversary

Bob and Carol (Schlake) Hanson are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. They were married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon by Rev. Nelson Preus June 22, 1952.

The couple has fond memories of growing up in the Waukon area. As a boy, Bob rode his bicycle delivering newspapers, working at the Skelly gas station and other jobs in the post-depression years. Carol grew up on a farm south of Waukon and attended country school through eighth grade before moving on to Waukon High School, where she would meet Bob during her junior year. Bob graduated in 1951 and Carol the following year.

During the Korean War, Bob enlisted in the Air Force for four years, with the couple living in Cheyenne, WY during an opportunity for Bob to attend technical school training as a teletype repairman. During these years, their son, Rick, was born. In 1954, Bob and his family moved on to his next assignment in Offutt AFB in Omaha, NE. After four years, Bob was offered an assignment in Madrid, Spain, which he accepted after choosing to continue his military career.

Advancing to a rank of Staff Sergeant, Bob and his family spent three years in Omaha, three years in Spain - where son Mark was born, five years in Massachusetts - where daughter Diane was born, three years in England, several stateside assignments, three years in Washington D.C., one year in Vietnam not accompanied by family, and four years back in Omaha. Both sons enlisted in the Air Force while Bob was still on active duty. Bob retired as a Chief Master Sargent (E-9).

Bob and Carol are retired and living in Prescott Valley, AZ. The couple has been blessed with three children, nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.