Mass of Christian Burial for Claude Hahne age 77 of Trail City, will be 10:00 AM MST Thursday, February 9, 2017 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Trail City. Interment will be in the Trail City Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be at 5:00 PM with a scripture wake service at 7:00 PM Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at the church. Claude passed away, Thursday, February 2, 2017 at his home.

On the morning of February 2, 2017, Claude Joseph Hahne passed away on his farm near Trail City, SD. Claude was 77 years old.

Claude was born on November 16, 1939 in Mobridge, SD to Frank and Anna (Damberger) Hahne. They lived on the family farm, 5 miles east of Trail City, until 1942 when they moved into town. He attended school in Timber Lake, and graduated from high school there in 1958.

After high school, Claude went to work doing road construction. He worked locally until he was drafted into the United States Army in December of 1962. He was stationed in Germany, and returned to the states in December of 1964 and was honorably discharged in November of 1968. He returned to working road construction, and lived in the New Mexico/Arizona area until he was called home in 1968. In 1969, Claude went to work for the Milwaukee Railroad.

On February 21, 1970, Claude married his loving wife of almost 47 years, Esther Mae (Fjeldseth). Claude and Esther lived in Trail City, next to Hahne Recreation, until they settled into their own piece of the homestead east of Trail City in October of 1973. In April of 1978, they welcomed their son, Glen Jason Hahne, into their home, and their daughter, Joy Lynn Hahne, in July of 1981. Claude continued to work on the railroad until March of 1983.
In 1984, Claude began to deliver mail for Cletus Malloy and the United States Postal Service. The delivery route was taken over by Lyle Larson in 1996, and Claude continued to deliver for him until he retired in 2008.

Retirement was not a word that Claude knew. He spent everyday working around the farm, or helping a neighbor. He returned to his construction roots in 1998 when him and neighbor, friend, Bob Hollenbeck began to build dams for neighbors and friends. Claude and Bob continued to dirt work until this last fall, and likely would have in the spring.

Claude loved being outside, spending time with his grandkids, and enjoyed overlooking the sights and sounds of their farm from his beloved porch swing. He was loved by many, and will be missed by all.

Claude is survived by his wife, Esther Hahne, of Trail City, SD, his son, Glen and wife Stacey, of Box Elder, his daughter, Joy and her husband Bryan, of Aberdeen, his four grandchildren, Joseph, Morgan, Blake and Bianca, and 27 nieces and nephews.

Claude was preceded in death by his infant daughter, his parents, his brothers, Leonard and Clarence Hahne, and his sister Estella Callahan.