Willis S Hanson

Willis S. Hanson, age 88, of Lake Crystal died Sunday, November 29, 2009 at Hillcrest Health Care Center, Mankato.

Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at Zion Lutheran Church, Lake Crystal with Rev. Nancy Dreier officiating. Graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday at Lake Crystal Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m., Tuesday at Lake Crystal Mortuary. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Church Building Fund or the donor's choice.

Willis was born January 26, 1921 in Lake Crystal to Lawrence and Winifred (Hughes) Hanson. He graduated from Lake Crystal High School in 1939. He married Alice Mathison on July 25, 1942 in Lake Crystal. Willis served in the United States Army Corps of Military Police at Camp Crowder, Missouri during World War II. He was a member of John Roth American Legion, Lake Crystal.

Willis had been employed in farming and did road grading and various other jobs with his Caterpillar. He had also owned the Allis-Chalmers dealership with his father in Lake Crystal. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, where he had served as church treasurer and trustee. He enjoyed going for rides with his daughter, and enjoyed bowling in a league in his younger days.

Willis is survived by his daughter, Judy of Lake Crystal; brother-in-law, Harlan Mathison and his wife, Zona of Moorhead; nephew, Mark Mathison of St. Cloud; and cousins.

Willis was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Winifred (Hughes) Hanson; wife, Alice on December 24, 2003; and his nephew, Rick Mathison.