Donald Eugene Hanson, 90, of Smithfield, died Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at the Elwood Care Center in Elwood.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, July 25, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John's Catholic Church in Smithfield with Father Thomas Lux officiating.
Interment followed the services in the Robb Cemetery in rural Gosper, Nebraska with Military Honors provided by the Elwood American Legion Post #290 in conjunction with the Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard.
Visitation held at the St. John's Catholic Church in Smithfield, Thursday, July 24, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Rosary was recited at 7:30 p.m. all at the church.
He was born June 13, 1924 on the family farm north of Smithfield in Gosper County, the second of three sons born to George William and Mary Ann (Fox) Hanson. Don received his primary education from a rural school near his family farm through the eighth grade and then graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1942.Following his education, he was inducted in the Army Air Corps on January 18, 1945 and served his country during WW II. Following his honorable discharge on December 4, 1946, Don returned home to the family farm and engaged in farming with his father and brother, Robert.
On October 14, 1948, Don was united in marriage to Phyllis May Olson at the All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege, Nebraska. The couple made their home on the family farm north of Smithfield, where they were blessed with seven children: Karren, Lois, Sharlyn, Mary Lee, Christine, Gordon, and Charles. Don continued his passion for farming until his retirement at the age of 70.
Don was a lifetime member of St. John's Catholic Church in Smithfield, where he was active in many capacities including being a lector and was instrumental in the building plans of the new church following a lightning storm. He also served on the District #4 School Board, member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, the V.F.W., and he was also active with the Okinawa Survivors Association. Don loved to socialize with his friends over a cup of coffee and later in the afternoon with a beer. He also enjoyed long drives through the countryside with family as he would reminisce like a historian about what has changed in his lifetime. He was loved and will be remembered fondly by his grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends of the family. Their visits always left fond memories and a loving impression from the Hanson farm.
Besides his parents and his daughter, Lois; Don was preceded in death by his two brothers: Lawrence Hanson and his wife, Ruth and Robert Hanson and his wife, Mary.
He leaves to mourn his passing; his loving wife of 65 years, Phyllis of Smithfield; his six surviving children: Karren Jerry) Whitney of Hastings, Sharlyn Bogner and her husband, John Noyes of Kansas City, Mo., Mary Lee (Lyle) Whitney of Hastings, Christine Hanson of Smithfield, Gordon (Donna) Hanson of Elwood, and Chuck Hanson of Lincoln; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A memorial has been established in Don's honor and will be designated at a later date.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.
