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1945
Henry
2015
Henry "Hank" Sass
May 8, 1945 — December 12, 2015
Henry "Hank" J. Sass, 70, of Waukon, IA, passed away peacefully Saturday, December 12, 2015, at his home. Memorial services will be held Thursday, December 17th, at 10:30 AM at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon, IA. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family.
Henry "Hank" Jay Sass was born May 8, 1945, in rural Waterville, IA, in the small town of Elon. He was the son of Charles Vincent and Eugenia Grace (Ralston) Sass. Around 1955, Charles and Eugenia moved their family to California where Hank attended and graduated from Whittier High School in 1959. After graduation, Hank enlisted in the United States Navy. While living in California, he met and then married Dana Kathleen Merhaut on June 10, 1967. Hank and Dana moved to Waukon, IA, and were blessed with three children: Daniel, Aron, and Jennifer.
Hank drove semi for several different companies along with working road construction. He was a volunteer for the Waukon Fire Department and a member of the American Legion. His passion was being an electrician, and with the help of home study and working with Peterson Electric, he went on the build his own business: Hank's Electric. During this time he was proud to have his sons Dan and Aron working by his side.
Sadly, Hank lost his son Aron in 1991 and then his wife Dana in 2007. In 2010, he met Sandy Leiran Hesse. Hank's family commented that these past five years were the happiest they had seen Hank since he lost Dana. Hank and Sandy loved gardening, especially growing tomatoes and canning together. He also enjoyed fishing on the Mississippi River. Many good times were shared with Hank's children along with Sandy's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Hank's life was again full of noise, joy, and happiness.
Hank is survived by his fiancée Sandy Hesse of Waukon; two children: Dan Sass of Waukon and Jennifer Sass of Lansing, IA; four brothers: Earl (Evelyn) Sass of Portland, OR, Lester (Lockie) Sass of Waukon, Charles "Babe" (Lisa) Sass of Hacienda Heights, CA, and Arthur (Phyllis) Sass of Cresco, IA; sister-in-law Jean Sass of Mt. Pleasant, TX; Sandy's children: Jay Runice and Shelle (Al) Fogt, both of Waukon, and Heather (Scott) Van Gorp of Nashua, IA; along with several of Sandy's grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Dana; a son Aron; daughter-in-law Karen Sass; his sister Eleanor Bruce; and two brothers: Marion "Tiny" and Harvey Sass.
Henry "Hank" Jay Sass was born May 8, 1945, in rural Waterville, IA, in the small town of Elon. He was the son of Charles Vincent and Eugenia Grace (Ralston) Sass. Around 1955, Charles and Eugenia moved their family to California where Hank attended and graduated from Whittier High School in 1959. After graduation, Hank enlisted in the United States Navy. While living in California, he met and then married Dana Kathleen Merhaut on June 10, 1967. Hank and Dana moved to Waukon, IA, and were blessed with three children: Daniel, Aron, and Jennifer.
Hank drove semi for several different companies along with working road construction. He was a volunteer for the Waukon Fire Department and a member of the American Legion. His passion was being an electrician, and with the help of home study and working with Peterson Electric, he went on the build his own business: Hank's Electric. During this time he was proud to have his sons Dan and Aron working by his side.
Sadly, Hank lost his son Aron in 1991 and then his wife Dana in 2007. In 2010, he met Sandy Leiran Hesse. Hank's family commented that these past five years were the happiest they had seen Hank since he lost Dana. Hank and Sandy loved gardening, especially growing tomatoes and canning together. He also enjoyed fishing on the Mississippi River. Many good times were shared with Hank's children along with Sandy's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Hank's life was again full of noise, joy, and happiness.
Hank is survived by his fiancée Sandy Hesse of Waukon; two children: Dan Sass of Waukon and Jennifer Sass of Lansing, IA; four brothers: Earl (Evelyn) Sass of Portland, OR, Lester (Lockie) Sass of Waukon, Charles "Babe" (Lisa) Sass of Hacienda Heights, CA, and Arthur (Phyllis) Sass of Cresco, IA; sister-in-law Jean Sass of Mt. Pleasant, TX; Sandy's children: Jay Runice and Shelle (Al) Fogt, both of Waukon, and Heather (Scott) Van Gorp of Nashua, IA; along with several of Sandy's grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Dana; a son Aron; daughter-in-law Karen Sass; his sister Eleanor Bruce; and two brothers: Marion "Tiny" and Harvey Sass.
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