James Hanson

James Hanson Obituary

James Hanson, age 91 of Evansville passed away Thursday, January 6, 2011 at the Evansville Care Center , surrounded by his family.

James Oscar Hanson was born on October 18, 1919 in Barrett , MN , the son of Henry and Nellie (Shurson) Hanson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Erdahl Lutheran Church . Jimmy attended Rural School District #44, then the Alexandria Public School while the family lived in Alexandria for four years, then returned to the family farm near Erdahl and graduated from Evansville High School in 1939.

Jimmy and Violet Ellingson were married at the Erdahl Lutheran Church on May 26, 1945. They continued farming on the Hanson home farm, where they dairy farmed, raised Registered Herefords, Registered Spotted Poland China hogs, and horses, along with grain farming. Jimmy retired in December of 1987 when he and Violet moved into their new home in Evansville .

Jimmy was an active member of the Erdahl Lutheran church, serving on the church council in many capacities. Jim’s faith was strong and he passed that faith on to his family. Jim also served on the Erdahl Cemetery Board for many years. When the Erdahl Church closed Jimmy and Violet joined Faith Lutheran Church in Evansville .

Jimmy served on the Evansville School Board and was an Honorary Chapter Farmer with the FFA. Jimmy enjoyed all types of sports, playing cards, caring for his fruit trees, rock collecting, reading and square dancing. He also enjoyed ‘old time’ music and waltzing with Violet. He was an avid fisherman and taught his grandchildren to fish. He also hunted pheasant and deer, going many years on deer hunting trips to Montana with friends. Jimmy was an accomplished horseman and was a member of the Chippewa River Saddle Club, and the Grant County Wagon Train where he served several years as trail boss. Violet and Jimmy had thirty five enjoyable years wintering in Mesa , Arizona . They went on trips to Norway , Hawaii , and other places within the U.S.

Jimmy is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Violet: six children, Neil (Elaine) Hanson of Sauk Rapids, Gene (Darla) Hanson and Donald (Charlotte) Hanson of Elbow Lake, Robert Hanson of Elida, Ohio, Daryl (Pam) Hanson of Fergus Falls, and Joyce Hanson of Evansville; daughter-in-law, Donna Novak of Minnetonka; ten grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; sisters, Harriet Haatvedt of Jefferson, TX and Fern Earles of Houston, TX; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter, Joan Carolyn; son Jerald Owen; grandson, Dallas Hanson; sisters, Doris Olson and Marion Jacobson; and brother, Raymond Hanson.