Robert H. Hanson

Robert Harding Hanson, 85, of Garretson, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at the Dells Area Health Center. Funeral services will begin at 1:30 PM, Saturday, September 23 at Zion Lutheran Church, Garretson. Visitation will begin at 3:00 PM with the family present from 5-8:00 PM Friday, September 22 at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson.

Robert Harding Hanson was born to Ned and Anna (Johnson) Hanson on October 14, 1920 in Crooks, South Dakota. He passed away peacefully on September 20, 2006 at Dells Area Health Center in Dell Rapids.


Bob was baptized and confirmed at Benton Lutheran Church in Crooks, South Dakota and graduated from Lyons High School. He married Leonie Bly on July 16, 1945 at Split Rock Lutheran Church in rural Brandon. Bob served in the United States Army Medics for thirteen months in 1945-1946. The couple then farmed in Crooks and Garretson for over sixty-five years.

Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, and bowling. He became an avid golfer at the age of 70. He also enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s activities, and he especially liked playing Sequence with Leonie every afternoon while he was a resident at Palisade manor. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Garretson, the Garretson American Legion, and the Sioux Valley Milk Producers.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Leonie, Garretson, South Dakota; children Vicki (Ron) Van Heuvelen, Oskaloosa, Iowa; Kay (Ed) Becker, Oldham, South Dakota; Stan (Gail) Hanson, Garretson, South Dakota; Kristi (Don) Gramstad, Larchwood, Iowa; Mary (Damon) Milner, Onalaska, Wisconsin; Jim (Vonnie) Hanson, Garretson, South Dakota; and Rodney (Kim) Hanson, Crooks, South Dakota; 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Luella Larson, Crooks, South Dakota and Leona (Earl) King, Spokane, Washington; three sisters-in-law, Christine Bly, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Grace Berg, Dell Rapids South Dakota; and Cas Bly, Garretson, South Dakota.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Armond Hanson; and two sisters, Lorraine Hanson and Lillian Moore.