Willard Hanson

Willard Hanson, 83 years old of Pine City, Minnesota formerly of south Minneapolis died Saturday, February 27, 2010 at Lakeside Medical Center. Born in Pine City, Minnesota, April 2, 1926 to Edward and Edith Hanson. Willard grew up on a farm east of Pine City. He enlisted in the army and served during WWII. During this time he was wounded in combat earning a Purple Heart medal. After serving in the U.S. Army, Willard lived in Minneapolis and worked as a weigher at a grain elevator until he retired in the 1980’s. Willard was an avid sportsman and enjoyed the outdoors. He loved deer hunting and fishing. He had a cabin east of Pine City and loved all the wildlife. Weekends were always spent at the cabin with friends and family. He was especially known for his sense of humor. He loved to laugh and make others laugh. He was known to play many practical jokes. There was never a dull moment when he was around. He was everybody’s “Uncle Willard”. Willard is survived by his Sister Edna Rebischke and her husband Herman of South Minneapolis, brother Vernon Hanson and his wife Kathy of Roseville, sister-in-law Barbara Hanson of Pine City, special friend Shirley Laine of Mpls., and several nieces, nephews including great niece Tammy Plasek and her husband Joe of Pine City. Willard was preceded in death by his parents, Edward & Edith Hanson, sisters; Emma Prokosch, Ellen Randall, Lenora Soderberg, Frieda Cedarblade, Evelyn Jungers, Lydia Soderberg and brothers Albert, Albin, Virgil and Edwin Hanson. Fairview Lakes Regional Medical Center Chaplain Mae Kieper officiated at Memorial services for Willard Hanson; Thursday evening (3/4/10) at 7 p.m. with a visitation one hour prior at the Swanson Chapel in Pine City. Music was provided by organist Glenna Reierson and soloist Jen Hansmann. A spring interment will take place in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Mpls. Memorials are preferred to the Pine City Food Shelf.