Eldon Raymond "Hans" Jepsen

Eldon Raymond “Hans” Jepsen, loved family and farming. He was a quiet man, but when he spoke, everyone listened. At the age of 75, Hans died Saturday, February 13, 2016 at Big Meadows Nursing Home, Savanna, with his loving family by his side. A visitation will be held 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna with a time of family sharing at 7:00 p.m.. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 20, 2016 at Manny’s in Savanna followed by a lunch gathering. A memorial fund has been established in Hans’ memory.
Eldon was born July 20, 1940 in Clinton, Iowa, the son of John and Elsie (Johnson) Jepsen. He grew up on the family Century Farm. Hans married Kay Claussen in 1958. They had four children. He later married Sandra (Franzen) Woodhurst on June 10, 1989. They had a strong marriage and celebrated twenty-six years.
Hans worked as a Diesel Mechanic in Clinton, Iowa for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad for fifteen years. He also farmed near Miles, Iowa until 1976. He owned and operated a tavern in Miles for a short time. Hans always had big gardens, enjoying sharing his produce with family and friends. He also liked mowing, deer hunting, cooking and canning, and the Colorado Mountains.
Hans will be dearly missed by his wife, Sandra; two sons, Rick (Kathy) Jepsen of LeClaire, Iowa and Randy (Helen) Jepsen of Sabula, Iowa; two daughters, Rhonda Vinet of Littleton, Colorado and Brenda (Roger) Miller of Savanna; ten grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; four stepsons, Ray (Candie) Woodhurst of Sabula, Lloyd (Denise Woodhurst of Miles, Gerry Woodhurst of Sabula and Sheldon Woodhurst of Sabula; one sister, Betty (Louis) Messerli of Clinton, Iowa; and special friends that were like his own, Scott (Tricia) Almquist and Sharon Woodhurst. Hans is preceded in death by both parents; five sisters, Mildred Gollbit, Margaret Soll, Sadie Hosette, Gertrude Chambers and Vera Soll; and a brother, Glen Jepsen.