Hanson, Harold Olaf 1929-2006

HANSON, ANDERSON, KOPPANG, THOMPSON, HELEGLAND

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 7/3/2016 at 15:48:56

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
Aug. 14, 2006

HAROLD HANSON

Harold Olaf Hanson, 77, of Grinnell died Saturday, Aug. 12, 2006, at his home.

A funeral service for Harold Hanson will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 15, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Grinnell with Pastor Stephen Jasch officiating, assisted by Pastor Herb Knudten, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church of rural Grinnell. Organist will be Cheryl Irland and vocalist will be Roger Henderson. Pallbearers will include Vern Anderson, Ken Bladow, Clem Bodensteiner, Clint Coppang, Dr. Dave Smith and Glen Soderberg. Burial will be in Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.

Visitation will be held tonight (Monday) at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m.

He was born June 19, 1929, in Drayton, N.D., the son of Olaf and Agnes Anderson Hanson. He grew up in Pembina, N.D., where his father was a customs officer at the U.S. border. He attended elementary and high school in Pembina and, after his junior year in high school, enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. He served for three years and spent time in several ports, including two years in Juneau, Alaska. After his military experience, he enrolled at Concordia College in Moorehead, Minn.

On June 21, 1953, he married Adelaide (Addy) Koppang in Portland, N.D. He co-owned and managed a grocery store for four years, then managed a Ben Franklin Store for two years in Mayville, N.D. After that, he purchased and operated a variety store in Chatfield, Minn., for eight years. In 1966, he purchased the Ben Franklin Store in Grinnell, which he operated for 25 years.

After he retired, he and his wife wintered in Arizona for 12 years, where he enjoyed golf and tennis and made many friends. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. His favorite vacations were in northern Minnesota with his family.

He was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church and was also active in Kiwanis Club, the Grinnell Ambassador Club and Junior Achievement.

He is survived by his wife; three sons, Steve Hanson of Mitford, Iowa, Dave Hanson of Manchester by the Sea, Mass., and Tom Hanson of Stillwater, Minn.; two sisters, Sonja Thompson of Fargo, N.D., and Helen Helegland of Longmont, Colo.; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church or Grinnell Regional Hospice.