Eugene Donald Hanson

Eugene “Gene” Donald Hanson, 91, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, passed away on December 15, 2024, at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. Gene was born June 5, 1933, in Alexandria, MN, the son of Carl and Myrtle (Johnson) Hanson. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Arthur (Marilyn Talle), sister Marjorie (Samuel Solhaug) and brother Carl “Bud” (Shirley McOmber). He is survived by his life-time friend and mother of his children Bella (Eske) Hanson, son David, grandson Dominick and his wife Haley and great grandson Thor, and daughter Sara, granddaughter Delilah, many nephews, nieces and friends.

He grew up in Osakis, MN, where he attended elementary and high school. He attended St. Cloud State College where he was active in football and baseball, was Senior Class President and graduating with a BA in Business. 

In 1955, Gene was drafted into the U.S. Army. After basic training he was selected to go to Ft. Myer, Virginia, as a member of the Honor Guard 3rd Infantry. He was selected as a Sentry and Guard on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Virginia. In 2005 he received his Tomb Guard Badge - the highest award for a non-commissioned officer. Gene was proud of his days in the Army, on the Tomb and the life-long friends that he made there. He loved to give presentations and share about his experience of the Tomb and Old Guard. 

After his Army service he was employed as a buyer at Montgomery Ward. He then returned to education at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, graduating with a BA in Theology in 1962. In 1967 he married Bella Hanson and raised their two children, David and Sara, in Cottage Grove, MN. He coached Little League football/baseball, was a Boy Scout Cubmaster and an explorer of the Boundary Waters with his son. He took many road trips, especially around the North Shore, and was a big supporter of his daughter, Sara, as an artist – maybe her number one fan. 

He worked as a social worker for Ramsey County and the US Postal Service until retirement. He was a member of the Sons of Norway, Society of Honor Guard Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Blockheads (Laurel and Hardy) and a member of Mindekerken Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church. Gene was proud of his Norwegian heritage. He and Sara visited Norway and met relatives and to see the “homeplace”. The two of them shared those memories, college football days, family vacations and many more during his weeks in hospice care where he, of course, made many more friends. 

Services are Monday, December 30th with Visitation 10-11, Funeral 11-12, Luncheon 12-1pm
Mindekirken Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church located at 924 East 21st Street, Minneapolis, MN 55404  612-874-0716
1:00-1:45 Procession to Fort Snelling National Cemetery (meet at assembly area 4 @ 1:45) for internment to follow for those who are interested. Military Honors will consist of a rifle salute, playing of Taps and presentation of the burial flag. 

Memorial donations in Gene’s memory will be applied to the creation of a memorial public sculpture that celebrates the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Honor Guards. Please include your email address for updates and the unveiling of the Memorial Sculpture.  Envelopes are available at the service and may be sent to Mindekirken Lutheran Memorial Church, 924 East 21st Street, Minneapolis, MN 55404.