Vernon L Hanson

Vernon L. Hanson, age 82, of Mankato, died Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at his home.

Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 26, 2007 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mankato, with Rev. Paul Meierding officiating. Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. until the service time at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Habitat for Humanity, or Heifer International. Mankato Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Vernon was born on June 21, 1925 in Hanley Falls. He was the son of Oscar and Ebba (Rude) Hanson. Vernon was a 1943 graduate of Hanley Falls High School. He served his country in the U.S. Army from March of 1945 until October of 1946, gaining the rank of sergeant. Vernon then attended one semester of farm school at the University of Minnesota, transferred to St. Olaf College, and graduated from Mankato State University in 1951. He was united in marriage to Kathryn Thompson on August 14, 1949 in Eagle Grove, IA. Vernon was a manager for an insurance holding company for thirty years. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jaycees, SCORE, and Habitat for Humanity. Vernon enjoyed sailing, golfing, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Vernon is survived by his wife, Kathryn of Mankato; children, Margie Hanson of Wichita, KS, David (Margie) Hanson of Portland, OR, and Barbara (Dean) Benforado of Castaic, CA; four grandchildren, Laura and Tyler Hanson, Elizabeth and Emily Benforado; two sisters, Myrtle Benson of Granite Falls and Joan Oftedahl of Hanley Falls; also many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Ruby Foran and Edna Nygaard.