DONALD W. HANSON, 89, was born July 29, 1920, in Yankton, SD, to Norman and Ina (Johnson) Hanson. He attended elementary school in Garretson, SD, graduated from Worthington High School in 1938, and attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD. He served his country in the United States Navy during WWII. While in the service, Don met and married WAVE Rita Muller on October 29, 1943, in Jacksonville, FL. After returning from the service, Don attended the University Of Minnesota College Of Mortuary Science and graduated in 1947. He, along with his father, owned & operated Hanson Funeral Home and Hanson Furniture in Worthington. In 1960, they sold the funeral business and concentrated on the furniture business which became Hanson Town & Country Furniture. Don retired in 1994. He was? the 2nd longest member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, where he had enjoyed being a liturgist, and served as deacon, and on many committees. He relished singing hymns with gusto- often changing octaves mid-stanza. Don was also a member of the Worthington Kiwanis, Lions, Elks, Eagles, Toastmasters, VFW, American Legion, & Shriners. Don was adored by his family and his four daughters all have?special?memories of?him. He was ?Bompa to his?grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved their time with him.? He was a good Norwegian, often sharing an Ole & Lena joke but his family did not share his enthusiasm for lutefisk. He also loved a good pie, especially sour-cream raisin. He always had a twinkle in his eye and a smile for everyone.?He had a friendly word for all he met: from longtime friends, to waitresses at the local cafe, to clerks and salespeople. He especially enjoyed playing with his young great-grandchildren and chatted to all small children while making his daily rounds. Some of his favorite spots to visit were the Blue Line Cafe, Wal-Mart, the "old guys club", and the library. Don enjoyed golf his whole life starting at age 12. He had been a member of the Worthington Country Club since 1934 and was seen almost daily on his golf cart retrieving balls from the water holes. On the course he liked trading golf balls with friends and was often spotted dangerously close to the edge of the water in his cart. He had 3 holes in one in his golfing career. He came to enjoy photography in his later years, and birds, frogs, and other nature subjects were favorites. He had fun playing cards and billiards. He was a life-long "doodler" and was always whistling. He went to Heaven on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 surrounded by family who are deeply saddened by their loss. Don is survived by his wife, Rita Hanson, Worthington; four daughters, Jan (Richard) Lowe, Worthington; Karen (Ken) Donahue, Berlin, WI; Lynn (John Robertson) Hanson, Venice, CA; and Robin (Don Uhlhorn) Hanson, Mora; eleven grandchildren; Courtney Lowe,?Lesley Lowe, Megan Donahue,?Brooke Gilfillan, Patrick Donahue?,Skylar O'Connor, Adam Janssen and wife Shannon, Sara Janssen, Nick Janssen, Rachel Bakker, Alex Bakker,?three great grandchildren;Quinn and Liam Gilfillan, and Bailey Janssen, .
sister, Norma Roberts, Pine Bluff, AR; and a nephew, Bruce (Jana) Roberts, Nashville, TN. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, William Roberts; and a nephew, Brad Roberts.

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