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HANSON, Merrill Donald 1926-2002

HANSON, SESSION, DIPPELL

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/4/2009 at 12:21:07

Funeral services for Merrill Donald Hanson, 75, of Mason City, who died Sunday, March 10, were held Thursday, March 14 at Wesley United Church, Mason City, with Rev. Bill Poland officiating.

Merrill Donald Hanson was born August 30, 1926, the son of Sefred and Cora (Session) Hanson in Pope County, Minnesota, near Glenwood, Minnesota. Don attended school in Pope County. The family moved to Iowa in 1942. Don joined the Civil Conservation Corp. at the age of 15 in the fall of 1941 at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, doing forestry work, clearing wooded lots. He later farmed with his father and brothers until he was drafted.

On November 18, 1944, Don entered into the United States Army, but at that time the Navy needed more men so he volunteered to join the Navy instead. Following active service, he was honorably discharged July 20, 1946 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota.

He returned to farm with his brother, Leo and his wife, Avis, from 1947 until 1948. He then attained a job as a lineman with Central Iowa Telephone Company based in Toledo, serving the Lyle, Minnesota area.

On November 17, 1950 he began working at Decker Meat Packing Plant which later became known as Armour Foods. The old plant closed in 1975.

Don painted houses until the new plant was completed in 1978 when he returned to work, He retired December 15, 1983, having dedicated 30 plus years of service.

Don was united in marriage to Shirley Dippell in Austin, Minnesota.

He was baptized in the Methodist faith, and was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Mason City.

He was a member of the United Packing House Workers Local P-38, serving as Division Stewart, Safety Committee, and was a member of the VFW. He enjoyed all sports, the fishing trips to Minnesota with his family, the duck and deer hunting in Iowa and Wyoming. Vegetable gardens with tomatoes were his specialty.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley; two sons, Marshall Hanson and his special friend, Regina DeMaris and her children, Rob, Jamie and Kellie of Dumont, and Randy Hanson and his special friend, Patty Cooper of Mason City; a brother, Leo Hanson and wife Avis of St. Ansgar; nieces and nephews, Priscilla Schulz, Jeanie Landeen, Gloria Hanson, all from Alexandria, Minnesota, Delores Mullen and husband Bruce of Minneapolis, Beverly Rubenstein and husband Steve of New Jersey, Dennis Hanson and wife Mary of St. Ansgar, and Lisa Hansen and husband Jeff of St. Ansgar.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Vera and Ruth in infancy, brothers Cecil, Theodore and Harold.

Interment was in St. Ansgar Cemetery with military rites conducted there.

[©St. Ansgar Enterprise Journal 2002]


 

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