Marian E. Hankenson

Marian Elizabeth Hankenson, 94, Clear Lake, died Sunday, Aug. 4, 2013 at the Manly Care and Rehabilitation Center, Manly, Iowa.  

     A Graveside Service was held Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013 at the Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake, with Rev. Keith Scott officiating.  

Marian was born Jan. 12, 1919 in Clear Lake, the daughter of Phillip Russell and Eva (Barlow) Bieber.  She attended Clear Lake Schools graduating in 1936.  She attended Hamilton Business College for a short time and was employed by the First National Bank in Mason City and later Clear Lake Bank and Trust Co. in Clear Lake.  It was during her employment with the First National Bank that she met and married her husband, Carl R. Hankenson, on Jan. 15, 1945 in Bethany, Mo.   They lived a short time in Kansas City, Kan., Eldorado, Kan., Ankeny, Iowa, and then back to Clear Lake, as Carl’s employment in the oil industry required several moves.  In her younger years, Marian was an avid swimmer and often spoke of working at the Surf Ballroom.  

   Marian’s main joy in life was her devotion to her family.  She had many interests which included china painting, doll making, gardening and her flowers.  She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and knitting.  She also enjoyed going to auctions and refinishing furniture.  She was very handy with remodeling properties that she and Carl owned.  Marian enjoyed reading, old movies, and was a “good  cooker” as her grandson, Matthew, would say.   She especially loved music, in particular piano music, as she recalled her mother’s ability to play the piano when she was young.  With having worked over the years alongside Carl in the filling station business and with her many interests, she culminated many friendships. 

Marian was a member of the Clear Lake Garden Club, The African Violet Society of America and the Iowa World Organization of China Painters.  

  Left to cherish her memory are her surviving children, Dr. Richard (Ann) Hankenson, Clarksville, Tenn., Jane (Richard) Walls, Clear Lake, Robert (Terry) Hankenson, Santa Barbara, Calif., Dr. Paul (Denise Sciacca-Hankenson) Hankenson, Okemos, Mich., and Mary of Clear Lake; 11 grandchildren, Scott Hankenson, Abigail Wright, Jennifer Hanna, Stephanie Hankenson, Christopher Hankenson, Rickey Hankenson, Elizabeth Walls, Kathleen Bates, Sarah Proft, Elisa Ungano, and Matthew Hankenson.  She was a great-grandmother of 15.  Marian was a sister to Dr. Rae (Connie) Bieber, Clear Lake, Evelyn Johnson, Intl. Falls, Minn., Mildred McNally, Clear Lake, and Jeanne Hugh, Clear Lake; sister-in-law to Darlene Bieber, Clear Lake, and Gayle Bieber, Ventura.  She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.  

Marian was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Carl; and three brothers, Kenneth, Phillip, and Garfield Bieber; grandson, Paul Michael Hankenson; and daughter-in-law, Laurie Hankenson; brothers-in-law, Les Hugh, Rudy Johnson, and Vincent McNally; half-brother, Donald Kundert and wife, Marge; and half-sister, Julia (Josie) Peterson, and husband, Pete.  

The family suggests memorials be given to Opportunity Village or Central Gardens in Clear Lake. 

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.