Arthur Blake Hanson passed into his Eternal Home on Tuesday, March 16, 2017 surrounded by his family.

Arthur was born to AB Hanson and Ella Mae (Westerhouse) Hanson at the Whitehall Memorial Hospital on August 6, 1929, the seventh of nine children.

Arthur was preceded in death by his mother and father, his siblings, Dorothy, Marie (Mrs. Kenneth Folkedahl), Eleanor (Mrs. Howard Ackley), Anna Ruth (Mrs. Theron Paulson), Phyllis (Mrs. Tom Condon), Harry (Esther Johnson), Lloyd (Merlene Jelstad) and a baby brother.

Arthur was raised on the family farm, Rural Route 3, Osseo, Wisconsin. He graduated from Huskelus School in 1943 and the Whitehall Memorial High School in 1947. He loved playing football for the Norseman and played on the First Team winning the Mississippi Valley Conference, twice. Performing in community plays with his buddies was a tremendous amount of fun.

Arthur was a member of the Pigeon Creek Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was baptized, confirmed and later years was president of the Luther League, sang in the church choir, president of Lutheran Brotherhood Organization and served as president of the church council for many years.

After graduating from high school he worked 10 years on his parent's farm. Arthur and Marlene Watson were married on June 9 ^, 1956 in the South Beef River Lutheran Church in rural Osseo. Arthur and Marlene purchased the farm from his parents and built a new home there in 1958. They had two children, Kimberly Sue and Alyn Blake. Kim and Alyn graduated from Whitehall high school. Kim received her bachelor's degree from Luther College and then graduated with a master's degree in Administration and Curriculum from Marian College. Alyn also attended Luther College and received his bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State. He then attended Rice University and received his EMBA in Business.

Traveling with his high school agriculture class to the western states and then to the eastern states sparked Arthur's interest in travel. During these trips his teacher designated him as the class reporter. On their return home his articles were published in the local paper.

Arthur shared his love of traveling with his family and friends. They started by tent, truck camper, fifth wheel, and two motorhomes. He and his family traveled all 50 states, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the Caribbean.

Following retirement Arthur worked for the Federal Crop Insurance throughout the state of Wisconsin. Arthur and Marlene wintered in Arizona for 18 years where they owned a home in Phoenix. After selling their farm they purchased a new home in Osseo, WI.

Arthur received the Top Registered Holstein First Calf Heifer Production Award in the state of Wisconsin, Wisconsin's State Farmer's Degree, and the Outstanding Soil Conservation Award for Trempealeau County.

Arthur enjoyed photography, reading, poetry, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, skiing, dancing, playing cards, the Green Bay Packers and all Wisconsin sports.

Arthur is survived by his wife, Marlene, of 60 years and his children: Kimberly of Beaver Dam, WI and Alyn Blake of Cypress, TX, and their spouses Dennis Harnisch, and Raynelle Hanson, and grandchildren: Mackenzie Blake Harnisch, Jacob, Conner Blake, and Alyson Hanson, his brother-in-law Theron Paulson, David Watson (Kathy), Richard Watson, Ronnie Watson, Gloria Watson Berg (Lowell), and many nieces and nephews.

We will miss our dad dearly as he was the rock of our lives. His advice was sought after time and time again. Each time he led us in the right direction. Dad always had a positive attitude and a loving and generous heart. It is extremely difficult to imagine life without him because he was so much a part of our lives. You were the best. Miss you forever. Love you always, Dad.

Funeral services for Arthur will be at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 in Peace Lutheran Church on Pigeon Falls.  Pastor Mary Ann Bowman will officiate.  Visitation will be on Monday, March 20, 2017 from 5:30 -7:30 p.m. in the Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall.

Instead of flowers, Arthur requested that memorials be made to the Peace Lutheran of Pigeon Falls Heating and Air Conditioning Fund.

Arthur will be laid to rest in the Pigeon Creek Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Pigeon Falls, Wisconsin.