Martin James Hanna

Martin James Hanna, 75, passed away at his home on April 10, 2014.

Services are at 2 p.m., April 21 at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Palmer. Graveside rites will follow at the Aurora Cemetery in Wasilla. A reception will follow at the American Legion Post 35, Mile 46, Parks Highway.

Martin James Hanna was born on Jan. 19, 1939, in Bucyrus, N.D., to Martin and Dena (Tangbakken) Hanna. He married Virginia Dewitt on Dec. 12, 1953. Five children were born to this union, Burton Hanna of Anchorage, Robin Morehouse of Wasilla, Kim Morris of Wasilla, Brent Hanna who preceded him in death in 1987, and Tyrone Hanna who lives in Homer.

Martin graduated from Provo High School in Igloo, S.D., in 1947 where he was an outstanding athlete excelling in football, basketball, and track, he still holds the school record for the mile run.

Martin was a role model not only because of his work ethic, but also because of his tenacity and strength. He was able to overcome polio and poor hearing (caused by a childhood accident) to be successful in his career. He had many friends and was well respected and admired. But more importantly, his greatest success was at being a father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved his grandkids and his great-grandkids and had a lot of fun with them all and enjoyed watching them play sports. He was heard to say, “I’ve thought about moving some place warmer but all my kids and grandkids and great grandkids live up here, and in the end they’re what really matters.”

Martin attended St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church and was a member of St. Anne and St. Simeon Society. Martin kept a picture of his wife Virginia tucked away in his prayer book and each Sunday during the hymns he would take out that picture and look at it fondly, he was her loving caregiver for the last 14 years of their 52 years of marriage.

He is survived by; his son, Burton Hanna and his wife Kathy, and their children Darrin Flute, Jason Kratsas and his wife Anya, Kimberly and Jamie Henderson, and Brent Katchatag and great grandchildren, Sequoia, Maria, Elias, and Aiden. Daughter Robin Morehouse and her children, Kelly Morehouse, Clinton Morehouse and Josie, and Jennifer Morehouse and great grandchildren, Kelsi Morehouse and Izzy Sutton. Daughter Kimberly Morris, and her children Karla Wilkerson, Brian Wilkerson, Kammy Morris and Dion Jones, and great grandchildren, Kaila and Karli Wilkerson and Marquese Martin Jones. His youngest son Tyrone Hanna and his son Derek Hanna. He is also survived by his loving sister Idelle Olson and her children DiAnne and Laurie Olson. His niece and nephew Leo Hanna, and Dena Jepson and numerous other family in South Dakota.

Martin was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanie; son, Brent; his parents, Martin and Dena Hanna; and brothers, Wayne Hanna, John Hanna and Donald Hanna.

One of his favorite quotes was by the late Reverend Robert Young, "I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow-creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.