Gerald Jerome Hanson

   Gerald Jerome Hanson (Jerry), age 97, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 19, 2025, at Dimensions in Appleton, Wisconsin, with his daughter by his side.

   Gerald, son of Lewis and Martha Hanson, was born January 22, 1928 on a farm in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota. The family later moved to Sioux Rapids, Iowa where he attended the Sioux Rapids schools.

   Gerald enlisted in the United States Navy in 1945 and served as a cook on the USS Cahaba, an oil tanker, in the Pacific area. He received his honorable discharge August 15, 1946.

   Returning to civilian life he worked at the Sioux Rapids Hatchery, then began farming in Eagle Grove in 1950. This year he married Iris Carpenter in Spencer. To this union were born two children, Randy and Rhonda. After farming for 31 years in the Sioux Rapids, Terril, Estherville, and Kenneth, MN area, the family moved to Spencer in 1981 for health reasons.

   He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He served on the Church Council for three of the churches he attended. He was a faithful member. He is a member of the Legion’s Glen Pedersen Post 1.

   He had a goal in his life to own a farm. He achieved that goal in Minnesota.

   Upon retirement he began woodworking and soon realized he was very adept at the construction of “Big Men’s Toys” as he called them. He entered some of his crafts at the Clay County Fairs always striving for blue ribbons. He entertained by displaying his toys at the nursing homes and the Highlands where they later moved.

   Gerald was a kind and loving husband and father.

   He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Iris, of 70 years of marriage; his parents Lewis and Martha; an infant sister, sister Marjorie Baker, brother David; brothers-in-law Myron Anderson, Herman Baker, Eugene Ingram, Clark Jensen, and Bill Frederick.

   Left to cherish his memory are his two children: Dr. Randy Hanson (Susan) of Redlands, California and Rhonda Clancey of Neenah, Wisconsin; five grandchildren: Sadie Gilbertson-Guirand (R.A.), Katie Millsom, Kimberly Bayliss (Matt), Jered Klima (Jessa), Caleb Klima (Ellen); eight great-grandchildren: Kaelie and Cayden Millsom, Solveig and Ryu Guirand, Dylan and Landon Klima, and Emma and Augustus Klima; four sisters: Donna Frederick of Spencer, Betty Anderson of Indianola, Marcia Jensen of Ankeny, and Miriam Ingram of Columbus, Nebraska.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church.