Mardell Hane

Mardell DeVee Smith Hane, daughter of C. Raymond and Maybelle A. Ritter Smith, was born in Jefferson, Iowa on June 18, 1935 and departed from this life October 11, 2017 in Urbandale, Iowa at the age of 82 years, 3 months and 23 days.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 16, 2017 at Hastings Funeral Home in Perry, Iowa. Pastor Larry Monthei of Hope United Methodist Parish in Cooper, Iowa conducted the services. Billie Payne, Betsy Gamerdinger, Brian Payne and Erin Gamerdinger were the honorary casket bearers. The active bearers were Ryan Gamerdinger, Wade Pieper, Kyle Pieper, Dave Rich, Chuck Hane and Craig Doocy. Mardell’s music was provided by pianist, Marjorie Vannatta and soloist, Dick Bardole. The solos were “Amazing Grace,” “Wind Beneath My Wings” and  “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” A lunch and time of fellowship was held before going to the Jefferson Cemetery in Jefferson, Iowa.    

Mardell lived in Jefferson through grade school and then moved with her family to a farm south of Jefferson. She graduated from Franklin Consolidated School in Cooper in 1953. Following graduation, she worked at the Home State Bank in Jefferson as a bookkeeper. Mardell was united in marriage with Ralph J.W. Hane March 4, 1955 in Des Moines. To this union three children were born: Vicki, Mark and Karen.  

Ralph and Mardell farmed near Rippey and Jefferson. Ralph’s career in the fertilizer/chemical business took the family to Carroll, Bayard, Charles City and the Dexter-Stuart area where he managed the Farm Service Fertilizer plant in Redfield. When Ralph joined Cargill Incorporated in Woodward, Iowa in 1980, the couple moved to Perry to make their home. They enjoyed their 22 years together in Perry before his death in 2002. Mardell continued to live there until she sold her home and moved to a duplex on 3rd Street where she was surrounded by dear friends.  

Mardell enjoyed the Perry Recreation Center. She loved playing cards, her favorites being cribbage and 10 point pitch. Mardell also liked puzzles and in later years became very fond of computer games and recently, YouTube. Her greatest treasure was her family.  

During the years Ralph was working so hard, with long hours, the couple always made time for family trips. They were blessed to visit 48 states, among them Hawaii and Alaska and enjoyed Canada. After Ralph’s retirement in 1994, they purchased a fifth wheel and worked in Yellowstone National Park for The Hamilton Stores for seven years. They also purchased a trailer home in Arizona where they spent winters in Apache Junction. No matter where they lived, they made many friends from all walks of life and even many from around the world. Mardell reflected that next to their family, they thought one of the most gratifying times of their lives was working in Yellowstone.

Mardell was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ralph; daughter, Vicki Pieper; brothers-in-law, Charles Glen Hane and wife Helen Durbin and Lloyd Leroy Hane; sister-in-law, Fern Hane Wilson and husband Elmo.  

Left to celebrate her wonderful life are her daughter, Karen Gamerdinger (Randy Meyer) of Johnston; son, Mark Hane (Theresa) of rural Adel; son-in-law, Bob Pieper of Stuart; five grandchildren: Billie Payne (Brian), Ryan Gamerdinger (Erin), Betsy Gamerdinger (Mike Ball), Wade Pieper and Kyle Pieper; four great-grandchildren: Grady Gamerdinger, Nash Gamerdinger, Kristina Wilber and Koy Payne. Mardell is also survived by her brothers, Richard Smith (Adrianne) of Jefferson and Jim Smith (Susan) of Clive; sister, Donna Van Buskirk (Ray) of Sioux City; and sister-in-law, Norma Hiddleson (Don) of Ankeny; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends.     

Memorials are respectfully requested to the Mercy Foundation or Mercy Hospice.

Hastings Funeral Home in Perry was in charge of the arrangements, www.hastingsfh.com, 515-465-4691.