Merlyn Lee Hansen

Merlyn was raised on a farm in Audubon, IA by Hilmer and Evelyn (Stenstrom) Hansen. He attended Dana College in Blair, NE and served in the U.S. Air Force National Guard. His work ethic and exceptional people skills guided him through a successful business career. In 1978, he took on the role as Vice President of Overland Sand and Gravel Company in Stromsburg NE. He would go on to serve as President, expanding the company through innovative efforts such as the Summerwood Lakes Development, where much of his professional, personal and family life converged. In all, he led and expanded Overland operations for nearly 40 years.

He was a stickler for quality and spent many hours in plant operations mixing and testing products to his standards. Merlyn applied his leadership skills into his community through service on multiple professional and civic boards. He was president and long time board member of the Nebraska Concrete and Aggregates Association as well as chairman of multiple professional organizations over his career.

Merlyn was known for his kind heart, generosity, quick wit, and fun-loving nature. He loved lake life and sharing it with family and friends. If he teased you, he liked you. You could always find Merlyn working on a project or tending to his lawn on his beloved John Deere. When he did relax, he loved to play silly with his grandchildren and watch the Huskers play football or volleyball. He enjoyed playing golf and watching the PGA pros on TV. He worked hard and particularly enjoyed vacationing in the mountains or on a sunny beach. His amazing smile and contagious laugh will forever be in the hearts of those he knew and loved.

He is survived by wife Diane Hansen, daughter Carri (Jeff) Siedlik, step-children: Lindsay (Joel) Stoltenow, Carly (Dan) Huter, Jason (Roxy) Hall, Heidi (Travis) Combs, Heather (Jeff) Kimble; granddaughters Ella and Autumn Siedlik, as well as 9 step-grandchildren: Cori, Kynli, and Kain Combs, Owen and Maura Kimble, Sam and Jack Stoltenow, Otis and Jones Huter; siblings: Karen (Mark) Elmquist, Dennis (Cheryl) Hansen, Dean (Deanna) Hansen and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and late wife Shelley (Hall) Hansen.

Visitation 5-7 pm Thursday Oct 19th at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home 6800 South 14th St. Memorial service 11:00 am Friday Oct 20th at Southwood Lutheran Church 4301 Wilderness Hills Blvd, Lincoln, NE 68516.