Speers, Hannah M.

Hannah M. Speers, 99, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of State Center, passed away Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, in Cedar Rapids. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in State Center. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at the church. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in State Center. .

Hannah was born June 25, 1910, to Mikkel and Torbjorg Njus on a farm near Lawler, Iowa. She was a graduate of New Hampton High School and Iowa State Teachers College. Following graduation, her teaching career included several rural communities, Waterloo, and in later years, an elementary teacher in State Center. Hannah married George H. Speers on June 15, 1939, in Lawler. She, along with her husband, George, operated the Speers Hatchery in the State Center area for 45 years. They also farmed in the rural State Center area.

Hannah will be missed by her four children, Dr. George Michael (Louise) Speers of Cape Coral, Fla., Dr. Wendell C. (Nicky) Speers of Urbandale, Carol S. (Tim) Shugart of Cedar Rapids and Stanley M. Speers of Marshalltown; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George; one daughter in infancy; a brother; and three sisters.

A memorial has been established to St. Paul Lutheran Church in State Center.

Pursel Davis Funeral Home in Marshalltown is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at