Apache Junction, AZ – Donald M. Hanson, beloved father and grandfather, passed away unexpectedly March 27, 2023. Don lived in Apache Junction, Arizona for many years up until his passing at age 77.
He was born in Thief River Falls on October 21, 1945 and spent his childhood in the Goodridge area. He attended technical school in St. Cloud and spent his career working in many different industries; as a machinist at FMC Corp., in research and development at Arctic Enterprises, as a Regional Manager of Sales at Allyn International and he helped launch the Minnesota State Lottery as a Regional Manager in Brainerd.
Don and his wife Ardith Nelson married in 1964 and spent their nearly 60 years together exploring the US, raising three beautiful daughters and running their own business, Hanson’s Sewing in Thief River Falls. He semi-retired in 1995 so he could spend more time traveling around the US.
If you could ever meet passion personified, it would mean meeting Don. The number of hobbies he had only grew as he got older, and every single thing he did was done with perfection and care – all the way down to where the hairs sat on his head. Don enjoyed traveling so much, he made sure he could travel nearly any way possible. Whether he was piloting his small airplane, riding his motorcycles, boating across lakes and rivers or pulling a fifth-wheel anywhere he could squeeze it in, he was determined to explore. He often joked he should “soup up” the motorized wheelchair he found himself living in the last years of his life, just to make it faster and all-terrain.
He especially found joy in spending time with his grandchildren. Don always lived life to the fullest, making friends along the way and collecting stories brimming with his charisma and humor. Don’s family is honoring his wish of not having a funeral and will instead privately celebrate his life at a later date, when they will share memories and remember the comforting sound of his laughter.
He is survived by his wife, Ardith; daughters, Joni Hanson of Mesa, AZ, Juli (Todd) Rose of Eau Claire, WI and Lori Hanson of Colorado Springs, CO; sister, Shirley Olson; sisters-in-law, Thelma Culkins and Adella (Dale) Mortenson; eight grandchildren; three great-grandsons; and many nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Mildred; brother, Harlan; and brothers-in-law, Wayne Olson and Russ Culkins.
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