Vivian N. Hanlin

Vivian N. Hanlin, 92, of Hamilton died on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at home surrounded by her
children. Vivian was born on July 3rd, 1933, in Alexandria, Missouri the daughter of Virgil
Wilson and Olive Brown Wilson. At the age of six, her mother married Harold H. Hagmeier who
Vivian considered as her Daddy for the rest of her life.
While she was in high school, she worked at the Wells Way located on Main Street in Keokuk.
One day while she was working there, Clayton E. Hanlin observed her working in the ice cream
bar window as he was driving down Main Street. He was immediately smitten. A mutual friend
introduced them, and they began dating but Clayton was soon drafted into the United States
army where he became an Airborne Ranger fighting in Korea. After graduating from high
school, Vivian worked as a telephone operator in Keokuk and Burlington Iowa. Vivian became
engaged to another man. Upon returning to Keokuk after the end of his service Clayton looked
up Vivian. The second she saw him she realized that no man had ever made her heart beat like
Clayton and that marrying anyone else would be the biggest mistake of her life. He proposed to
her by telling her that if she gave the ring back to her fiancé, he would put another ring on her
finger so fast that her finger would not get cold.
Months after their engagement they eloped and both of their families were not happy since
they thought the two of them were not well matched. That was until their oldest son, Steve
was born. Both sets of parents agreed that he was an adorable baby and maybe there was
hope for their union. She was a wonderful full-time mother who taught her children they could
achieve any goal or job through hard work, and education. Clayton and Vivian’s incredibly
happy marriage lasted for 66 years until Clayton’s death in 2020.
She was a member of Hamilton United Methodist Church where she participated in several of
the women’s club activities and taught Sunday School for several years. She enjoyed being a
member of Hamilton, Illinois’s Chapter-U P.E.O. where she was President for several terms.
She was a long-time member of the Hamilton Floral Society. She was Den Mother for Cub
Scouts and Room Mother and PTA member at Hamilton schools. She served as a Girl Scout
leader and worked as a counselor at Saukenauk Girl Scout Camp. She served as a vice president
for the Two Rivers Girls Scout Council. When her children were small, she served two terms as
president of the Hamilton Young Mothers’ Club. She served several terms as the chairperson of
the Hamilton IL zoning commission and spearheaded writing the current zoning rules that have
been copied by municipalities across Illinois.

Highlights of her life were her husband, family, and her clubs. She loved to travel with her
husband and took multiple trips to Egypt and Europe exploring not just the big cities but small
towns. She and Clay took train trips across the U.S. and many river trips on the Delta Queen,
Mississippi Queen, and American Queen. While in Washington DC she enjoyed a show at the
Kennedy Center while sitting in the President’s Box, had lunch at the White House and met
President Clinton in the Oval Office.
She is survived by Steve (Jeffrey) Hanlin of Nauvoo, Jane Walters of Rock Island, Illinois, Mark
(Amy) Hanlin of Montrose, Iowa, and Kirk (Veronika) Hanlin of Arlington Virginia; a brother, Jeff
Hagmeier of Boston, Massachusetts; and two grandchildren, Lucas (Morgan) Hanlin of
Fayetteville NC, and Savannah (Dylan) English of Keokuk, IA; and two great grandchildren,
Clayton Hanlin and Quinnley English. As well as nieces and nephews; Dan (Jennifer) Hagmeier,
Sara K. (Joe) Hagmeier-Ciarametaro, Cathy Hagmeier, Keith (Rose) Hagmeier, JoAnna (Linus)
Fedler, Billy Briley, Brad Briley, Barbara (Robert) Calloway, and many cousins. She was
preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, Rick Lee Hanlin; a sister, Patricia
Betterton; a brother, Harold P. "Bud" Hagmeier; and a son-in-law, Dick Walters.
Visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 6, 2026 with Funeral services
following at 2:00 p.m. at Printy Funeral Home 917 Blondeau St. Keokuk, IA, with Paster Mark
Hanson officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Hamilton.
Memorials may be made to Hamilton United Methodist Church.
Tributes and condolences may be left at www.printyfuneralhome.com.
DeJong-Printy Funeral Home of Keokuk is in charge of arrangements.