David "Rusty" Hanson

Beloved Husband, Father & Papa

Hanson, David Gordon, age 86, passed away peacefully April 7 at The Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine, MN. He was born on a farm near Mayville, ND along with his twin brother Donald on August 17, 1934 and was raised in Hatton, ND. David graduated from Hatton High School in 1953 , where he (nicknamed "Rusty") and "Donny" starred on the basketball and other sports teams. The two brothers enlisted for two years in the U.S. Army. Following the Army, David attended Mayville State University in ND, competing on the football, basketball and baseball teams. He moved to Minneapolis where he met and married Janet Petiniot in 1968. They raised three daughters (Tracy, Kim and Kari) in the city of Minnetrista, MN, a suburb of Minneapolis.

David is survived by his wife Jan; daughters Tracy Hanson, Kim Hanson and Kari Hanson; grandson Jake Hanson; sisters Dorothy Morey and Diane (Joe) Dahlheim; sister-in-law Willette Hanson; brother-in-law Frank (Elaine) Petiniot; sister-in-law Peg Eklund and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Peder and Geneva Hanson; brothers Perdin, Arvid and Donald; sister Madelyn Opdahl; brother-in-law Lee Eklund; nephew Dan Hanson; niece Rita Conzet and niece Myrna Loy Califano.

For many, David will be remembered as a multi-sport star athlete in high school and college. The “Hanson Twins” helped lead Hatton to high school basketball prominence, where their collective accomplishments would be fondly remembered many years later. His love for sports continued into college and throughout his life including his love for golf. David liked the simple things in life and could often be found taking care of his yard, attending his grandson's sporting events, fishing, downhill skiing, visiting family in San Diego and annual summer camping trips to Door County, Wisconsin with extended family and friends. He will be best remembered for being a caring, loving, selfless and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. His strong sense of family and kind heart made him loved by one and all.

A private service will be held by the family at the end of April with final burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

In lieu of flowers the family is working with Dollars for Scholars (Hatton, ND) to ensure money donated in his name goes toward a memorial fund/scholarship for Hatton High School sports. Please see below for donation information.

Mail check to:

Dollars for Scholars

P.O. Box 200

Hatton, ND 58240

(In memo put: In memory of David “Rusty” Hanson)

You can also donate on their website:

www.hatton.dollarsforscholars.org

Click on Donate Now button

(Specify a Scholarship Fund: In memory of David “Rusty” Hanson)

memorial service

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services