Cover photo for Alfred Hanson's Obituary
Alfred Hanson Profile Photo

Alfred Hanson

October 15, 1927 — May 30, 2017

Alfred S. "Bud" Hanson of rural Arcadia died on Tuesday May 30, 2017 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in LaCrosse, WI.
Alfred was born on October 15, 1927 at the family farm in the Town of Arcadia to Alfred and Solphia (Skogstad) Hanson. Alfred, or Bud as he was known from the time he was a small child was the third of 4 children. He had an older brother Howard and an older sister Mavis and a younger brother Grant. Bud attended school at the Oakdale Country School through the eighth grade. He graduated from Arcadia High School in 1945. While in high school he was active in football, and baseball, he was also on the boxing team.
After graduation he decided to remain on the family farm and work with his Dad. Bud enjoyed working and being in the outdoors. In the winter he enjoyed skiing and also ski jumping. In 1959 he had an accident while ski jumping which resulted in a severe injury to his right ankle. While he was recuperating he decided he wanted to go to college. He enrolled at Winona State University to pursue a degree in Education. He completed his degree in 1964 and was hired by the Whitehall School District where he taught middle school science and social studies. He later moved on to the Cochrane Fountain City School District and then to the Gilmanton School District. While teaching at Gilmanton he decided he wanted to pursue a degree in Guidance and Counseling so he returned to Winona State University to complete that degree. After receiving his Masters he was employed at the Mauston School District until he felt the need to move closer to home to help his parents who were aging and needed more help. He took a part time counseling position with the Osseo Fairchild Schools. In 1980 his father passed away suddenly and he left counseling to run the family farm full time.
While at the Osseo Fairchild Schools he met Kä"ren Durst who taught Title I Reading. They married on August 7, 1981 at Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. Bud and Karen welcomed their first child Jens in 1982 and their second child Marit in 1989.
Bud was an active conservationist and environmentalist. He prided himself on taking good care of all the land on the farms he owned. He farmed organically though not formally certified. He loved taking care of his Black Angus cattle, planting trees every year and doing a little fishing when he could find time. He was a man of integrity and compassion. He was always willing to help other s and believed that everyone was entitled to justice no matter what their economic status. He also believed that farms should be a family operation with small farmers being more important than big ones. He served on church and synod committees and was also a member of the Sierra Club. In addition to being and educator and a farmer he took a course and was a certified property assessor. He served his country as a member of a National Guard Unit.
Bud is survived by his wife Karen of Arcadia; his son Jens and wife Lindsay of Dubuque, Iowa; his daughter Marit of Minneapolis, MN. ; And two grandchildren Lillian and Colton Hanson of Dubuque, Iowa. He is further survived by his sister Mavis Scheurle of Rochester, MN. his brother Grant and wife Nancy of River Falls, WI, and a sister-in-law Doris Hanson of Winona, MN. He is also survived by his faithful dog Lady.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Howard, his brother-in-law Armin Scheurle, two nieces Debra Scheurle and Christina (Hanson) Horrmann , and a great nephew Justin Breza.
Bud was a lifelong member of the Fagernes Lutheran Church rural Blair where memorial services will be held on Saturday July 8, 2017 at 1:30 P.M. with the Reverend Roger Knudson officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the services at the church. Wozney Killian Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.wozneykillian.com Memorials should be directed to the family to give to charities of their choice.

Visitation

JUL 8. 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM (CDT)

Fagernes Lutheran Church
Township of Preston, WI

Memorial Service

JUL 8. 1:30 PM (CDT)

Fagernes Lutheran Church
Township of Preston, WI

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