1916
Willard
2008
Willard Hanson
August 19, 1916 — January 6, 2008
Willard was born August 19, 1916 to Charles and Elsie (Stanton) Hanson. To this union, seven children were born; Oren, Mildred, Frances, Earl, Alice, Willard and Lester. Willard's brother Lester still lives on the farm where Willard grew up, in rural Graceville.
On November 10, 1937, Willard was united in marriage to Helen Simon. They were blessed with four children; Dorothy, Robert (Bob), Leonard (Lenny) and Margaret (Peggy), where they were raised on a farm 1 A�A½ miles west of Clinton. Helen passed away on August 30, 2000.
Willard was a quiet, gentle man who had many talents. He loved music and taught himself to play the guitar, banjo, clarinet, harmonica and the piano. He and his brothers played for barn dances, Farmer Union meetings, and family gatherings. He was a hard working farmer who also loved to garden. Fruit trees, vegetables, flowers, bird houses and bushes filled his yard.
Wildlife and nature was also a big part of Willard's life. He loved to fish and hunt, although in later years, he became more of an observer than a hunter. He was an avid bird watcher and also started to carve them from wood.
Above all, Willard was a wonderful, loving husband and father. He will be greatly missed by his children and their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and all who knew him.
Preceding Willard in death were his parents, Charles and Elsie; wife, Helen; three brothers, Oren, Frances, and Earl; two sisters, Alice and Mildred.
Willard is survived by one brother, Lester Hanson of Graceville, MN; two sons, Robert (Kathy) Hanson of Missoula, MT, Leonard (Charlotte) Hanson of Morris, MN; two daughters, Dorothy (Merl) Foss of Watertown, SD, Peggy (Larry) Nelson of Clinton, MN; 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
On November 10, 1937, Willard was united in marriage to Helen Simon. They were blessed with four children; Dorothy, Robert (Bob), Leonard (Lenny) and Margaret (Peggy), where they were raised on a farm 1 A�A½ miles west of Clinton. Helen passed away on August 30, 2000.
Willard was a quiet, gentle man who had many talents. He loved music and taught himself to play the guitar, banjo, clarinet, harmonica and the piano. He and his brothers played for barn dances, Farmer Union meetings, and family gatherings. He was a hard working farmer who also loved to garden. Fruit trees, vegetables, flowers, bird houses and bushes filled his yard.
Wildlife and nature was also a big part of Willard's life. He loved to fish and hunt, although in later years, he became more of an observer than a hunter. He was an avid bird watcher and also started to carve them from wood.
Above all, Willard was a wonderful, loving husband and father. He will be greatly missed by his children and their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and all who knew him.
Preceding Willard in death were his parents, Charles and Elsie; wife, Helen; three brothers, Oren, Frances, and Earl; two sisters, Alice and Mildred.
Willard is survived by one brother, Lester Hanson of Graceville, MN; two sons, Robert (Kathy) Hanson of Missoula, MT, Leonard (Charlotte) Hanson of Morris, MN; two daughters, Dorothy (Merl) Foss of Watertown, SD, Peggy (Larry) Nelson of Clinton, MN; 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.