Wendell Hanson

Wendell Conrad Hanson, beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away on September 19, 2024, at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was 89 years old.

Services to honor Wendell’s life will be held on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at New Life Community Baptist Church in Ortonville. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. Pastor Phillip Ostlund will officiate the service and interment will be at Artichoke Lake Seventh-Day Adventist Church Cemetery in rural Big Stone County, MN.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of Wendell’s obituary page at www.mundwilerfuneralhome.net.

Wendell was born on April 10, 1935, in Graceville, MN, to William and Clara Hanson. He grew up on the west side of Artichoke Lake, where he developed a love for the outdoors and became a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. His early years were challenging as the country emerged from the Great Depression, and he spent much of his youth working hard alongside his father and brother Charles on the family’s 400-acre farm. All the work was done by hand and with horses, but despite the hard labor, Wendell’s childhood was also filled with fun. He enjoyed swimming, boating, ice fishing, ice skating, and hunting ducks and pheasants.

Wendell attended a one-room country school and later went on to study at Maplewood Academy in Hutchinson, MN, where he graduated in 1953. Following high school, Wendell pursued a degree in business at college in Lincoln, NE. After completing his studies, he served in the U.S. Army for two years in San Antonio, TX, where he taught in the medical corps’ training division.

Wendell’s lifelong love of guns began early, and he taught himself how to repair and restore them. After his service in the Army, he briefly worked as an accountant in Tennessee, but soon returned to Minnesota to farm and to pursue his passion for crafting black powder rifles, specifically The Plainsmen.

In 1970, Wendell met Elaine, the love of his life, and they married in 1971. With their union, Wendell gained four cherished children: Dan, Laurie, Patty, and Sandy, who he loved and supported as his own. Wendell’s life was filled with many interests, his top three being guns, history, and steam engines. One of his most unique accomplishments was building his own steam-powered paddle boat, which he could often be seen cruising on Big Stone Lake, with Bluegrass music playing in the background. Wendell also loved playing his banjo and tuba in his spare time, and a ride on his Harley Davidson motorcycle was always a highlight of his day.

With his skills in gun repair, Wendell opened his own business, Northstar Arms, where he shared his knowledge and craftsmanship with others. His passion for history led him to become actively involved in the Big Stone County Historical Society. Among his proudest achievements was the preservation of The Muskegon, an excursion boat brought to the Big Stone Lake area in 1909. Wendell’s dedication to saving this important piece of local history was a reflection of his love for the past.

Wendell, along with his friend Gene Howen, also built the steam boiler that continues to cook the corn at the Ortonville Corn Festival each year, a tradition that lives on to this day.

Wendell will be remembered as a kind, humble, and positive spirit. He was a man of great faith, and he spent time ministering to prisoners at the Appleton prison. Above all, he loved his Lord and Savior and found joy in serving others.

Wendell is survived by his loving wife, Elaine Hanson; his children: Daniel Beutler (Karla) of Washburn, ND; Laurel (Brian) Longhenry of Sartell, MN; Patricia (Roger) Haukos of Correll, MN; and Sandra (Greg) Scheff of Waconia, MN; and his brother, Charles Hanson of Correll, MN. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and a host of extended family and friends who will carry on his legacy of love and faith.

Wendell’s gentle spirit, love for his family, and contributions to his community will be missed by all who knew him. May he rest in peace.