Donald A. Hanson

Obituary

Donald A. Hanson, Aug. 9, 1932 – April 3, 2017

Funeral services for Donald A. Hanson, age 84 of Dassel, will be 10 a.m. Sunday, April 9 at Hantge Funeral Chapel in Darwin. Visitation will be 9-10 a.m. before the service at the funeral home. Inurnment at Ripley Cemetery in Litchfield will take place Monday, April 10. Don passed away Monday, April 3 at the Dassel Lakeside Home with family at his side.

Donald Allen Hanson was born to Lewis and Mary Ellen (Fisher) Hanson at their rural Meeker County home on Aug. 9, 1932. He grew up in the area and was confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Cosmos. As a young man he worked for various farmers. At age 17 he went with his brother Murlen to North Dakota and started working for Johnson Brother’s Construction. He did road construction for them for 37 years, first as a laborer, then a heavy equipment operator, then on to foreman. After that retirement, he worked five more years for Forest Lake Contractors. After that retirement, he still helped people out whenever he could.

Don married Janet Potter in 1953, and to this union his three daughters were born. He later was married to Kathleen Dill. He married Jean Berg in 1988. In his lifetime Don worked very hard and had developed beautiful country properties in Ham Lake Twp., rural Annandale, and rural Dassel. He had a lifelong love for all kinds of animals, especially horses, which he instilled in his family. He taught his girls to work hard, and also to play and have fun. When in his 50s, Don went to classes and earned his GED, of which he was quietly proud. Don especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He had many good friendships over the years. He really liked to visit with people!

Don is survived by his
Wife, Jean of Litchfield;
Daughters, Sandra Hanson of Tyler,
                     Susan Laabs (Ray Johnson) of Grove City,
                     Debra (Gerald) Stein of Shevlin;
Brother, Gerald (Leona) Hanson of Grove City;
Sister Carol (Wayne) Larson of Litchfield;
Nine Gandchildren – Jessica (David) Ahl, Kyna Johnson, Emily Johnson, Bonnie (Jason Biwer) Laabs, Bruce Laabs, Shelly (Ben) Helberg,  Randi (Luke) Molnar, Kelly Stein, and Kristen (Trenton) Edgell;
Eight Great-Grandchildren – Jocelyn Klein, Annilia Nichols, Dana Ahl, Sabin Helberg, Bryce Helberg, Andrew Molnar, Grace Molnar, and Jaxon Edgell;
A large extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins; and a great many good friends.  

He was preceded in death by his Parents, Lewis and Mary Ellen; Brothers, Murlen, Bill and Leo; Sisters, Elaine (in childhood) and Shirley; and Granddaughters, Sharon Teigland and Jennifer Henry.

Blessed be his memory.