John K. and Luise hoped to be remembered for benevolence, a trait they possessed throughout their lives. They convened a small group that committed funds to build Immanuel Lutheran Church and led philanthropically through contributions to the Forest City Hospital, the Forest City Family YMCA, local churches, and Boy Scout organizations. They also helped fund the local park board and …

Luise was the first woman elected to the Forest City School Board, serving from 1963 to 1966, and was named to the Forest City Education Hall of Fame in 1987. She served as a Waldorf College Board of Regent from 1981 to 1999, where she chaired the Advancement Committee and was a member of the Executive Committee. In recognition of …

Luise V. Hanson had a heart for children. She was a Cub Scout Leader, a Luther League advisor, and a mentor to many Waldorf College students, particularly international students attending the college through the Lutheran Leaders Program. She often invited students into her home for weekend meals or holiday celebrations. Luise also remained interested in mission work throughout her life, …

From 1935 to 1962, Luise worked with her husband as an active partner in their Hanson Furniture Store and Funeral Home. She was integral in the founding of Winnebago Industries in 1959 and Stitchcraft, which soon followed. She worked as an interior designer before being elected director and treasurer in 1965, then director and vice president in 1967. She was …

Luise was born Luise Adelheid Voss on June 7, 1913, in Grundy County to Rev. C.E.G. and Marie (Knospe) Voss. She attended country school and graduated from Sheffield High School in 1930. After graduation, she moved to Forest City where she met her future husband, John K. Hanson. The couple married on November 14, 1935.

John K. basically had three hobbies: reading, marketing, and people. He turned these hobbies into his career. His love of people was obvious in many ways. His goal was to provide jobs to young people so communities could grow and prosper. He believed improving the quality of life within a community began with jobs, better wages, benefits, and opportunities for …

John K. won numerous awards for professional, civic, and fraternal activities including selection as Iowa Small Businessman of the Year in 1965. In 1983, he was inducted into the RV Hall of Fame and the Iowa Business Hall of Fame. The following year, 1984, he was named to the Babson College Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs and received the People of …

In 1967, John K. Hanson and Elliott Cooper purchased the Farmers Bank and Trust in Crystal Lake, Iowa, changing the name to Manufacturers Bank & Trust Company. In 1970, Manufacturers Bank & Trust built and moved their main office to Forest City. In 1973, John K. became sole owner of the bank.

In 1962, John K. sold the Hanson Furniture and Funeral Home to devote his time exclusively to Winnebago Industries, Inc., and his commitment to bring a better quality of life to Forest City together with jobs, which the community needed. Winnebago Industries Inc. was devastated by fire in 1964. Undeterred, John K. rebuilt Winnebago Industries, Inc., and re-opened it in …

An avid outdoor camping enthusiast, Hanson became convinced that travel trailer manufacturing was an attractive opportunity for the community, He convinced local investors to lure Modernistic Industries, a California travel trailer manufacturing firm, to open a branch facility in Forest City. In 1959, Hanson became president of the new firm, Modernistic Industries of Iowa. Immediately, Hanson began to explore methods …