There was nothing more important to David D. Hanneman than family. A devoted son of Carl and Ruby Hanneman of Mauston, Wisconsin, Dave was also a lover of family history. Over the years, he collected and safeguarded heirloom photos, documents and memorabilia. When he became ill with cancer in the fall of 2006, he started passing these things on, hoping they would be shared with family and anyone else interested in a good story. That is why we started The Hanneman Archive: to preserve the memories, share family history and honor Dave’s life.

Dave was born on March 27, 1933 in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. At age 3, his family moved to Mauston when his father Carl took a job as the pharmacist at the Mauston hospital and clinic. Dave was a three-sport letter winner at Mauston High School, member of an award-winning barbershop quartet and a decorated singer from a variety of Wisconsin singing competitions. A high school friend said Dave possessed a stentorian voice, and indeed that was true. His booming baritone rose above everyone when he sang at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Mauston, Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Catholic Church in Sun Prairie, and just about anywhere else there were songs to be sung.

Married on August 9, 1958 to Mary K. Mulqueen, Dave was father to four children. He taught them about love of family and the importance of a life of faith. His life of faith was perfectly exemplified in his final six months as he was dying from cancer. That story is poignantly told in the 2010 book The Journey Home: My Father’s Story of Cancer, Faith and Life-Changing Miracles. The book is available in print and digital formats at Amazon.com.

Dave had a long and distinguished public service career. He was elected alderman in Sun Prairie in 1968 and served one term. He ran again in 1988 and served until 1996, when he was elected to the Dane County Board of Supervisors. As a county supervisor, Dave served on the Dane County Airport Commission, and had a national post with the National Association of Counties (NaCo). In April 2003 he was elected mayor of Sun Prairie, one of the fastest-growing cities in Wisconsin.

Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy G. Thompson described Dave as a “great patriot” and a “true American.” Pete Drahn, former director of the Dane County Regional Airport, calls him “a man of complete integrity.” Roger Quick, a high school basketball teammate, said he was “certainly loved by his classmates.”

Those are just a few of the tributes included in a special publication that memorializes Dave’s “life well-lived.” Available below as a downloadable PDF, the tribute book includes photographs from Dave’s long political career, and comments from many colleagues and friends. Below that is the tribute video played at Dave’s funeral visitation in 2007. You can also view a slideshow of photos from the funeral.

• A Tribute (PDF)