Erling G. Hanson, age 92, of rural Whitehall passed away Sunday morning, December 30, 2012, in the Pigeon Falls Health Care Center in Pigeon Falls, Wisconsin with family at his side.
He was born at home on April 26, 1920, to Albert and Hulda (Phillipson) Hanson in the Township of Pigeon Falls. He married Emelia Skoyen July 19, 1941, in Las Vegas, Nevada while they were traveling to California where Erling was employed at Lockheed Aircraft in Los Angeles. His employment was interrupted by WWII when he was inducted into the Army and served with the 10th Mountain Infantry Division in Italy. When the war ended, he was discharged from the Army and he and Emelia began farming in Fly Creek in 1947.
Erling attended the University of Wisconsin Agricultural program at Madison. He became a successful farmer and conservator of the land and was actively involved with Our Saviour's Lutheran church and served on the board of deacons for 12 years. He also was a Director and President of the Trempealeau Electric board for 27 years, Federated Insurance board for 9 years and the Trempealeau County Housing Authority for 28 years, and was active in the Farmers Union.
He enjoyed traveling, current events, reading, and good conversation. While retired at the farm, one of his greatest pleasures was riding his golf cart through his woods and fields with Rex, his loyal three legged dog. Being a staunch Norwegian, Emelia or other family members served him lutefisk at Christmas. Erling's last meal consisted of lutefisk on Christmas Eve in Pigeon.
Erling was preceded in death by his wife, Emelia and his sister, Adella Hanson of Rockford, Illinois. He is survived by 3 sons, Ronald ( Mary Olstad) of Whitehall, Jon (Elaine Wicka) of Dodge, Wisconsin, and Paul of Whitehall. Five grandchildren include; Dawn Peterson (Carl) of Whitehall, Tim Hanson (Diana) of Rochester, MN; Heather Schroeder (Kevin) of Whitehall, Leah Hanson (Jon Peckham) of Columbia Falls, MT, and Shaina Hanson (Paul) of Whitefish, Montana. Three great-grandchildren include Carsten Peterson, Preston Schroeder, and Maeple Peckham (who is anticipating the birth of her new sibling in January).
Memorial services will be held on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Whitehall with Pastor Terry Lorenz officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Hutchins-Stendahl American Legion Post #191. Burial will be in the Pigeon Creek Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Pigeon Falls.
Visitation will be Thursday, January 3, 2013 from 4-6 p.m. in the Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.