Obituary
James D. Hanna
James D. Hanna, sunrise May 31,1958 ,sunset February 25, 2014. An incredible husband to Kathie, loving father to Shane, Quinn, and Courtney, generous friend to many, especially Al Lew, caring son of Terry and Margaret Hanna, and brother to Rich Hanna. Also an avid outdoorsman, lover of animals, practical joker, and all around kind and gentle man. Jim meant so much to so many.
His career was his passion and he was a dedicated doctor, an inspirational educator, and a tireless researcher. If there were questions, he found the right answers. Jim graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee in 1979 and the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1983. He completed his pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of WI in 1986. He earned his National Institutes of Health Fellowship in Pediatric Nephrology at MCV in Richmond, VA in 1992. Jim worked as a researcher and clinician at MCG in Augusta, GA from 1992-1997 where he received numerous awards for his work. He also published several articles in magazines and textbooks that were relevant to his research.
All of us are exceptionally blessed to have been touched and affected by the presence of Jim in our lives for fifty five years. We are so grateful for time spent and memories made, but sad to realize that Jim’s time on earth was not long enough.
Jim Hanna accomplished much, but had so much more to offer.
Kathie and Shane Hanna invite you to attend a celebration of life and share some of the heartfelt memories you have of Jim, our husband and dad. Whenever you hug a child or give extra special care to an animal, please do so at least once with Jim in mind.
The Celebration of Jim Hanna’s life service will take place on May 31, 2014 at Noon at the Coulee Region Cremation Group and Funeral Home,133 Mason Street, Onalaska. Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice Chaplains Sue Fletcher and Kathleen Charles will officiate. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice. Jim would want you to dress casually and most certainly, no ties please.
We know you are smiling from above and working with the angels now. Your family, friends, patients, and
loyal pets will always love and forever miss you. RIP Jim
I am so sorry for your loss of Dr. Hanna. He was my granddaughter’s kidney specialist in La Crosse until he left. She was just a baby when we met him until she was around 2 years old and he was so good with her. My kids and Laina missed him as her doctor. We are all so sad to hear of his passing. He was a wonderful doctor and man. My prayers are with you all. When I hug Laina (my granddaughter) I will think of Dr. Hanna every time. She is still with us today because of his care for her.
I worked with him when he was working as a Pediatrician in Racine, WI. I just joined then, as a Neonatologist to start a Level III B Neonatal ICU. He used to cover me on weekends, once in while to give me a break, as I was a solo Neo and also he was well trained in Neonatal procedures. We had a great relation and he always treated me as his big brother. He was a sharp physician and very eager to learn. When he left Racine for Fellowship, I was happy for him even though I missed him, a lot. It was a sad news that I just came to know when I googled his name, as I am currently training a Fellow with the same last name (in a different State). RIP Jim. You are never forgotten. Dec 10th 2015.
To Kathie, Shane, Quinn, & Courtney–
I am now 66 and a retired NICU nurse who had the great pleasure of working with Dr. James Hanna at Milwaukee County Hospital NICU when he was in his last year of residency. I remember what a caring doctor he always was– and a great problem solver. He was working day shift on Jan. 28th, 1986 when the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster occurred and I remember how everyone on the unit was in shock– and Dr. Hanna stopped charting and stood up in disbelief and sadness to hear the news. He had to be one of the kindest physicians any of us had met! Our NICU unit was gifted to have known him. His intelligence and humor will be missed by so many who knew him.