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HYANNIS, NE (June 2, 2008)The Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska (ICON) are grieving the loss of a true friend and a vital ambassador for the cattle industry. Jim Hanna passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha following a brief illness.
"Jim Hanna was a true leader and had a passion for standing up and fighting the issues affecting the independent cattlemen across Nebraska and the nation,"said Chris Abbott, president of The Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska (ICON). "He won the admiration from any and all cattlemen he crossed paths with. I am honored to have known and worked with Jim through the Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska. We will all miss him dearly."
Jim Hanna was the fifth generation of his family to own and operate the Pass Ranch in Nebraska over the past 100 years. Prior to full time work at the ranch, Jim earned his bachelors and masters degrees in Geography. Jim was a Director for the Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska, the former president of Nebraska Cattlemen's Association and served as the Region VII Director for the U.S. Cattlemen's Association representing cattle producers from Nebraska and Iowa. In addition to his crucial roles within the agriculture and cattle industries, he was also deeply involved in his community. Jim served on the local high school board, the Greenbelt Advisory Committee and many other civic and industry organizations.
"Jim had the wisdom and ability to agree to disagree,", said ICON vice president and director Dave Wright. "He was a member and officer of cattlemen organizations whether he agreed with their policies or not. He understood and had the qualities to stay focused on the principles of an issue. Our nations cattle industry has truly lost a vital spokesman and advocate in Jim Hanna."
Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, June 4 in Thedford, NE at the high school gymnasium.