Lester Bernhard Hanson, 99

Published 10:32 am Friday, November 4, 2016

Lester Bernhard Hanson, 99

Lester Bernhard Hanson, 99, of Austin, Minnesota, died on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, at Primrose Retirement Community.

He was born Oct. 26, 1917, in Sargeant Township, Minnesota, the son of Samuel and Laura (Giere) Hanson. Lester attended District 91 schools and worked on the farm until his marriag e to Gladys Mogen on Oct. 2, 1940 in Hayfield, Minnesota. After living in Rochester for a year and a half, the couple moved to Austin, where Lester took a job with Hormel Foods as a laborer. He retired in 1977 after 36 years of service to Hormel. Lester enlisted in the United States Army in 1944. After being wounded in the Battle of the Bulge around Christmas time 1944, he spent five months in five different hospitals before his honorable discharge in 1945. Lester was a charter member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, and he loved to travel, visiting Europe several times and spending 13 years wintering in Arizona. He enjoyed bowling, hunting and trapping, taking walks, square dancing, and playing bridge. In earlier years, Lester played softball. He moved to Primrose Retirement Community in 2009.

Survivors include his wife Gladys Hanson of Austin, his daughter Julie (Richard) Borman of Fresno, California, his son-in-law Duane Dahlback of Austin, six grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Marlys Steward of Faribault and Marvel Mogan of Austin. Lester was preceded in death by his parents Samuel and Laura Hanson, his daughter Diane Dahlback, sisters Marjorie Hanson and Eileen Samuelson, brother and sister-in-law Willard and Delores Hanson.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin with Rev. Karen Behling officiating. The Hanson family will greet friends from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday at the church, immediately preceding the service. In accordance with Lester’s wishes, his body has been donated to the Mayo Clinic Anatomical Bequest Program. Interment will be at Grandview Cemetery at a later date. Memorials can be directed to the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Building Fund or recipient of donor’s choice. Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Military honors by American Legion Post 91 and Veterans of Foreign War Post 1216. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.