James J. Hannan, age 82, of Litchfield died on Saturday, December 12, 2009, at the Dassel Lakeside Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at the Church of St. Philip in Litchfield. Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 8:00 PM on Wednesday at the Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home in Litchfield and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Parish Prayers will be held at 5:00 PM on Wednesday at the funeral home and a Knights of Columbus Rosary will be at 12:15 on Thursday at the Church. Interment will be in the St. Gertrude’s Catholic Cemetery in Forest City at 10:00 AM on Friday, December 18, 2009 with Military Honors by the Litchfield Military Honor Guard.
James John Hannan, the son of John Francis and Mary Gertrude (Roche) Hannan, was born on August 31, 1927 in Litchfield. He grew up in Litchfield and graduated from Litchfield High School in 1944. After high school he worked in a post office in San Francisco. He entered the U.S. Navy and during his service he attended Cornell University in New York. After his tour had been completed he returned to Minnesota and lived in Melrose for a short period before moving back to Litchfield in 1948. On February 18, 1947, he was united in marriage to Charleen Henault at the Church of St. Philip in Litchfield. He worked at First District for twenty years in the lab as a milk tester. In 1969, they ran the Colonial Café and then he worked for Delano Granite for a short period. James then worked for Super America and Ashland Oil; he and his wife having moved to Chaska. In 1979, they lived in Paynesville and owned a small business until eventually returning to Litchfield in 1993 where he had lived ever since. James enjoyed baseball and in the early 50’s he played for the Optimist team in Litchfield. He was a past commander of the American Legion Post #104 and earned his 60 year pin for the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Church of St. Philip in Litchfield. He enjoyed golfing, fishing and traveling.
He is survived by his children; Bill (and MaryKay) Hannan of Litchfield, Bob Hannan of Litchfield, Larry (and Joyce) Hannan of Rapid City, Tim (and Laurie) Hannan of Hamel, MN, Cathie (and Paul) Dols of Norwood Young America, Jim Hannan of Minneapolis, grandchildren; Shauna Hannan of Columbia, South Carolina, Jason (and Cheryl) Hannan of Tucson, AZ, Shanda Hannan of Champlin, MN, Shasta (and Dave) Rueckert of Elk River, MN, Shamra (and Ryan) Payne of Rosemount, Hanna Hannan of Missoula, MT, Chris (and Jessica) Hannan of Minneapolis, Brent (and Kate) Hannan of Maple Grove, Amy (and D.J. Belden) Hannan of Maple Plain, Matt Dols of Norwood Young America, Tim Hannan of Duluth, Ben Dols of Norwood Young America, Jake Hannan of Minneapolis, Josh Hannan of Minneapolis, Charliss Dols of Norwood Young America, great grandchildren, Kyla Hannan, Sawyer Rueckert, Sam Rueckert, Shay Payne, Pryce Payne, Tya Payne, Aveya Payne, Myla Hannan, Wilder Hannan, Dallas Belden, sisters; Fran Lupfer of Litchfield, Kathy (and Don) Malon of Rapid City, SD, sister-in-law Barbara Quinn Merced, California, many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 52 years, Charleen, daughter Charliss, sister Gert and brother Bill.