Lithia, FL – David Arnold Hanson, 84, passed away suddenly at his home in Lithia, Florida, on November 30, 2024, following a massive stroke.
David was born in Clearbrook, to Arvin and Gertrude (Lockrem) Hanson. He was baptized and later confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. The family moved to Thief River Falls, where David attended school and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1958. A gifted athlete, he excelled in both basketball and football, holding several school records. His talents earned him numerous scholarship offers from across the country. He ultimately chose to attend the University of North Dakota on a basketball scholarship.
After college, David enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. He completed electronics school and became a specialist working on missile systems. He also played center for the Army basketball team. David served a year in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1965.
In 1966, David married Kay Monroe of Radium, MN. They were united in marriage in Mayville, ND. David returned to college and played basketball for Bemidji State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts. He also continued playing basketball on an independent league team in the evenings.
David began his teaching career shortly after and taught Industrial Arts at several high schools and vocational institutions throughout Minnesota, including Erskine, Waubun, Thief River Falls, and Win-E-Mac. He also substitute taught, led adult woodworking classes, and coached high school basketball.
A true craftsman, David’s passion was woodworking. He created everything from luxurious kitchen cabinets and fine furniture to picture frames and lathe-turned bowls and bracelets. He had a remarkable ability to tackle the most complex projects, make them look easy, and bring them to life with precision and creativity. After retiring to Lithia, FL, in 2010, David continued to spend countless hours in his garage workshop. Neighbors often stopped by to chat, admire his work, or ask for help with a project. His open garage became a community gathering spot, and his presence is deeply missed.
David had a lifelong love for the outdoors. As a child, he spent summers on his aunt and uncle’s farm in Clearbrook, milking cows, riding horses and donkeys, and exploring the woods. He began hunting in his early teens and quickly became an avid outdoorsman. He spent countless hours fishing on Lake of the Woods, Lake Bemidji, and many other Minnesota lakes. Hunting deer and being in the woods was his true passion. In the Clearbrook/Bagley area, he, his brother-in-law, and nephew built a log cabin using timber from the land. There, they hunted, cut wood, shared stories by the fire, and embraced the peace and quiet of nature. A portion of David’s remains will be spread at this cherished hunting cabin.
David was also an avid reader and would often stay up all night, unable to put a good book down, sometimes finishing multiple books in a week. Whether it was James Patterson or John Grisham, or anything that sparked his interest, he devoured books with energy and enthusiasm. Reading was one of the many ways David satisfied his curiosity and kept his sharp mind active throughout his life.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, David not only played basketball and football throughout his youth, high school, college, and Army service, but also continued to participate in men’s league basketball and softball. He closely followed basketball, football, baseball, hockey—virtually every sport—at all levels, from high school to professional. He often stayed up late or watched recorded games to keep up with different time zones. One of his greatest joys was watching his grandchildren, Tephen and Aspen, play sports. He often said he hoped to live long enough to see his grandson play professional baseball.
David will be remembered for his warm smile, quiet and kind demeanor, and, of course, his towering height. His passing leaves a deep void in the hearts of his family and friends.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Kay; daughters, Kari (Pete) Hidalgo of Tampa, FL and Tana Montgomery of Lithia, FL; grandchildren, Mavrik (Audrey) Peterson of Grand Forks, ND, Jazmin (Ty) Gensrich of Bismarck, ND, Tephen Montgomery, and Aspen Montgomery; six great-grandchildren, Corbin and Lydia Peterson, and Lykkin, Jaxson, Veda, and Adaire Gensrich; and his sister, Judy (Steve) Ahern of St Regis, MT.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Arvin and Gertrude Hanson; daughter, Jami Hanson; sisters, Arlys Hendrickson and Ruth Weckwerth; brothers-in-law, Jerry Hendrickson and Jim Weckwerth; and a special nephew, Jimmy Weckwerth.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Warren.
In honor of David’s legacy, the family encourages everyone to take time to enjoy the outdoors, build something with their hands, cheer loudly at a ballgame—or get lost in a good book. His spirit lives on in the laughter around a campfire, the hum of a saw in the workshop, the bounce of a basketball on a court, and the rustle of pages turning late into the night.
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