Roger E. "Hank" Hanquist

Roger E. Hanquist, 94, of Polk, Nebraska, died Sunday, December 8, 2024, at Midwest Covenant Home in Stromsburg. Visitation is Sunday, Dec. 15 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City. His funeral will be Monday, Dec. 16 at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran of Swede Home with Pastors Evan and Hillary Christensen officiating. Burial of Hank and Marlene will follow in Swede Home Cemetery. Roger—or Hank as most knew him—was born August 25, 1930, to Reuben and LaVina (Rodine) Hanquist on a farm west of Polk, the third of five children. At age 10, he moved to a farm north of Polk, not far from where he would establish his own family farm in 1954. He graduated from Polk High School in 1947 at age 16. Hank was drafted for the Korean Conflict and served as an Army corporal in the 80th Engineers in France from January 1952 to December 1953. He has fond memories of the friends he made there and was a proud veteran and member of the Polk American Legion Post 160 for more than 66 years. On February 14, 1954, he married Marlene Ruth Johnson at Calvary Swede Home, where he was also baptized and made a confirmed member that same year. He remained an active and faithful member until his death. Hank and Marlene welcomed four children: Layne, Gregg, Todd, and Amy. In addition to his lifelong career (that he deeply loved) of farming and raising livestock, Hank sold Moews seed corn and served on various boards, including the Polk Board of Education. He was a talented woodworker, refurbishing many antiques through the years (each grandchild received a Hoosier cabinet as a wedding gift). His best accomplishment, though, was serving as patriarch to his four children, 11 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren and giving them memories for a lifetime: spending time together in the fields and the barn with the boys; driving the boat for Amy for endless rounds of water-skiing at the cabin; pulling the grandkids on the loaded toboggan or throwing firecrackers too close to himself and everyone else or making the best homemade ice cream; having an endless bag of fish food and a hearty laugh for the great-grandkids. His ornery spirit and boundless love will never be forgotten. He is survived by his children: Layne and Deb of Polk; Gregg and Cindy of Marquette; Todd and Renae of Stromsburg; Amy and Drew (Harris) of Hastings; grandchildren Nate, Gabe, Brady, Kyle, Garrett, Heidi, Mandi, Jonathon, Cole, Hank, and Maggie; 22 great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law Arlyn and Donna Hanquist; sister Dorothy Claussen; brother Stan Hanquist; brother-in-law Wayne Johnson; sister-in-law Gladys Johnson; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Hank was preceded in death by his wife, Marlene; his parents; a brother and sister-in-law, Miland and Marlene Hanquist; and four brothers-in law—LCDR Ernest Gleim, Les Claussen, Marlowe Johnson, and Keith Johnson. Per Hank’s wishes, memorials are suggested to Calvary Lutheran of Swede Home.

Roger E. "Hank" Hanquist

August 25, 1930 - December 8, 2024