The Iowa Senior Games Hall of Fame was established in 2006 (the 20th anniversary of the Iowa Senior Games) to recognize and honor outstanding athletic performances by our senior athletes, as well as outstanding contributions made to the success of the Iowa Senior Games by athletes, board members, and volunteers. What is a “Senior Athlete”? A senior athlete is someone, male or female, who trains and competes in a variety of events with their age-group peers. Many may not feel that they have the capacity or the ability to participate in senior athletics. However, at the senior level there are events that are suitable for almost anyone who has the interest and wants to challenge themselves, through competition with their peers, to improve their health, and have fun. Although, there are many who have been participating for several years, like our Hall of Fame Inductees, a significant number do start in their sixth, seventh, or even eighth decades. The late Dr. George Sheehan, who was the prototype senior athlete, stated that, “the memorable thing is not how you compete against others, but how you compete against yourself”. This creed is held not only by our Hall of Fame Inductees, but also by many of the athletes who train and compete at a senior level.
As is often quoted, “we don’t stop playing because we are old, but we become old because we stop playing.” For these individuals, how true that is.
To nominate a participant for the Iowa Senior Games Hall of Fame, download the Hall of Fame nomination form. Please send Hall of Fame nominations to cole.bollweg@iowagames.org. The deadline to submit your nomination for the 2026 Iowa Senior Games is April 13, 2026.
John Hartung – Indianola, IA
Karen Hansen – Ames, IA
A native of Des Moines, IA, John Hartung distinguished himself as a multi-sport athlete at East High School, excelling in football, basketball, and tennis. He continued his athletic career at Grinnell College, where he played football and competed in track and field, earning a spot in the Grinnell College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995.
John’s commitment to sports extended beyond college. He became a key figure in the Iowa Senior Olympics, now the Iowa Senior Games, serving on its board for over 25 years. Since1998, he has competed in a range of events, including Shot Put, Discus, Standing Long Jump, and Golf. He particularly enjoyed competing in Shot Put, challenging himself to achieve greater distances as he advanced through the age brackets. Despite retiring from Shot Put due to a shoulder replacement, John remains an active participant, now focusing on golf to stay fit and engaged.
A true advocate for the Senior Games, John volunteers at events, helps secure sponsorships, and continues to nurture the spirit of healthy competition among athletes of all ages.
John lives in Indianola with his wife and cherishes time spent with their three children and seven grandchildren. Congratulations on your induction into the Iowa Senior Games Hall of Fame, John!
Karen Hansen was a long-time supporter of the Iowa Sports Foundation, especially the Iowa Senior Games and Iowa Games. One would be hard pressed not to see Karen volunteering at an event.
Hansen was raised in Luverne, MN where she fell in love with the outdoors and her animals. She later went onto college and was a teacher in Minnesota for many years. She was heavily involved with girl scouts which brought her to Iowa. Once in Iowa she stayed and fell in love with everything our state has to offer.
She ended up in Ames, where she began volunteering for the Iowa Games, and eventually the Iowa Senior Games. Between the Iowa Games and Iowa Senior Games she volunteered at over 50 events. Aside from volunteering locally, Karen could be seen at many national events, whether it be the National Senior Games or State Games of America.
Karen was instrumental in helping to run the welcome center at the Senior Games. If you knew Karen, you knew she ran a tight ship but always had a smile on her face.
Unfortunately, this past April, Karen passed away peacefully in her home away from home in Sioux Falls, SD. Karen, you will be missed by many. Thank you for your many years of service to the Iowa Sports Foundation and the Iowa Senior Games.
It is an honor to be able to induct Karen into the Iowa Senior Games Hall of Fame – Class of 2025.
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