1936
John
2018
John O. Hanson
September 7, 1936 — May 1, 2018
John Ofsthus Hanson, 1936-2018, devoted husband, and beloved father, grandfather, mentor and friend, passed into eternal life with our Lord, at home surrounded by his family on May 1, 2018. John met Barbara, his loving wife in early 1959 and were married in December, 1960.
John was born September 7, 1936, in New York City, NY. He grew up in Northfield, MN, graduated from St. Olaf College in 1958 and achieved his Doctor of Education from the University of North Dakota.
John is survived by his wife Barbara, of 57 years and children Eric (Marla) Hanson of Folsom, CA, Mark (Kerry) Hanson of New Canaan, CT, and Kristi (Bill) Lynn of Redmond, WA. John delighted in and loved greatly his grandchildren David O., Michelle & Matthew Hanson, Ellie, Parker, Annie & Barrett Hanson, and David A. and Christopher Lynn and his sisters Joan (Bill) Harrison of Yakima, WA, Judy Ranheim of Turlock, CA, and Jane (John) Stevenson of Sturgeon Bay, WI.
John began his career in education as a speech teacher in Hutchinson and continued on to educational leadership following graduate school. John served as a school administrator in Goodhue, Silver Bay, Esko, and Apple Valley/Rosemount/Eagan school districts. John was selected as a Bush Leadership Fellow in Education. Later in life he served as an Adjunct Professor in the Entrepreneurship program at St. Olaf College, and as interim superintendent in several Minnesota communities. Throughout his life, John was also an avid investor and entrepreneur.
John was a lifelong learner, always encouraging others to grow, seek and be thoughtful. John mentored and encouraged young people in their personal, professional and educational pursuits.
John was not only an educator, but also a servant of others. He was a founder and avid supporter of the Doulos Discovery School, an adventure learning school aimed at developing future leaders in the Dominican Republic. His servant's heart extended to Lake Wapogasset Bible Camp, Lion's club, senior driver education and the Red Wing Sister City Commission.
Throughout his life John served in many capacities in his various church communities. He and Barbara also established the H.B. Hanson Preaching Seminar at Luther Seminary. John was an active member at United Lutheran Church.
John was a supporter of numerous music and arts organizations reflecting his great love of music. He also served on Fairview Health System Boards for many years.
Sand Lake, his summer home from childhood to the end of his days, held a special place in John's heart as a haven to gather with family and friends and reflect. He leaves an enormous community of extended family and friends in this dear place who assemble each summer to love, laugh and enjoy the beauty of creation. He formed many loving memories with his grandchildren, including fishing off the end of the dock.
John's love of adventure took he and Barb on many travels throughout the world. He enjoyed discovering different cultures and the beauty of new lands traveling to nearly 50 countries.
John's sense of humor never left him whether competing in the family tennis tournament, greeting guests at family gatherings or through the greatest battle that ultimately took his life, that of melanoma. John's generous spirit, tenacity, sense of humor and faith were his greatest gifts to us all.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the John & Barbara Hanson Family Endowed Scholarship Fund at St. Olaf College or Lake Wapogasset Bible Camp. Visitation Monday, May 7th, 4-6pm, Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel, Red Wing. A Celebration of Life service will be held Tuesday, May 8th at 11:00am United Lutheran Church, 628 W. 5th Street, Red Wing, visitation one hour prior to the service.
602 Plum Street P.O. Box 111
Red Wing, MN 55066
628 West 5th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066
628 West 5th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066
John was born September 7, 1936, in New York City, NY. He grew up in Northfield, MN, graduated from St. Olaf College in 1958 and achieved his Doctor of Education from the University of North Dakota.
John is survived by his wife Barbara, of 57 years and children Eric (Marla) Hanson of Folsom, CA, Mark (Kerry) Hanson of New Canaan, CT, and Kristi (Bill) Lynn of Redmond, WA. John delighted in and loved greatly his grandchildren David O., Michelle & Matthew Hanson, Ellie, Parker, Annie & Barrett Hanson, and David A. and Christopher Lynn and his sisters Joan (Bill) Harrison of Yakima, WA, Judy Ranheim of Turlock, CA, and Jane (John) Stevenson of Sturgeon Bay, WI.
John began his career in education as a speech teacher in Hutchinson and continued on to educational leadership following graduate school. John served as a school administrator in Goodhue, Silver Bay, Esko, and Apple Valley/Rosemount/Eagan school districts. John was selected as a Bush Leadership Fellow in Education. Later in life he served as an Adjunct Professor in the Entrepreneurship program at St. Olaf College, and as interim superintendent in several Minnesota communities. Throughout his life, John was also an avid investor and entrepreneur.
John was a lifelong learner, always encouraging others to grow, seek and be thoughtful. John mentored and encouraged young people in their personal, professional and educational pursuits.
John was not only an educator, but also a servant of others. He was a founder and avid supporter of the Doulos Discovery School, an adventure learning school aimed at developing future leaders in the Dominican Republic. His servant's heart extended to Lake Wapogasset Bible Camp, Lion's club, senior driver education and the Red Wing Sister City Commission.
Throughout his life John served in many capacities in his various church communities. He and Barbara also established the H.B. Hanson Preaching Seminar at Luther Seminary. John was an active member at United Lutheran Church.
John was a supporter of numerous music and arts organizations reflecting his great love of music. He also served on Fairview Health System Boards for many years.
Sand Lake, his summer home from childhood to the end of his days, held a special place in John's heart as a haven to gather with family and friends and reflect. He leaves an enormous community of extended family and friends in this dear place who assemble each summer to love, laugh and enjoy the beauty of creation. He formed many loving memories with his grandchildren, including fishing off the end of the dock.
John's love of adventure took he and Barb on many travels throughout the world. He enjoyed discovering different cultures and the beauty of new lands traveling to nearly 50 countries.
John's sense of humor never left him whether competing in the family tennis tournament, greeting guests at family gatherings or through the greatest battle that ultimately took his life, that of melanoma. John's generous spirit, tenacity, sense of humor and faith were his greatest gifts to us all.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the John & Barbara Hanson Family Endowed Scholarship Fund at St. Olaf College or Lake Wapogasset Bible Camp. Visitation Monday, May 7th, 4-6pm, Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel, Red Wing. A Celebration of Life service will be held Tuesday, May 8th at 11:00am United Lutheran Church, 628 W. 5th Street, Red Wing, visitation one hour prior to the service.
Visitation
MAY 7. 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (CDT)
Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel602 Plum Street P.O. Box 111
Red Wing, MN 55066
Visitation
MAY 8. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CDT)
United Lutheran Church628 West 5th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066
Celebration of Life
MAY 8. 11:00 AM (CDT)
United Lutheran Church628 West 5th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066
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