Roger Leon Hanson

ROGER LEON HANSON, age 91, of Waseca, passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar, MN. 

Born on August 26, 1932, in Minneapolis, he was the son of Holger and Louise (Sutter) Hanson. Roger graduated from Washburn High School in Minneapolis with the class of 1950. Roger was united in marriage to Helen Jean Postler on July 24, 1954, in Birnamwood, Wisconsin. He joined the Air Force after high school, and after four years of service with an honorable discharge, and a special accommodation for “remaining calm and assisting in the maintenance of good order and discipline” during a flooding crisis at the base, he furthered his education at Northwestern Television, studying Electronic and TV repair, receiving a certificate as a Television and Radio Mechanic in 1955. Roger began his working career in electronics at EF Johnson Company, and later also worked in an electronics circuit board printing company in Waseca.  As an entrepreneur he then owned and operated several small businesses which included a dairy delivery business, Hanson’s Cheese House, Hanson’s Pizza, Lindsey Water Softeners and a Fireplace store. He started driving truck in 1981 but decided that he wanted to stay closer to home, so he then chose his own rig in 1982, after which he primarily hauled grain from local farmers to the grain mills.   He loved his work hauling grain, and did so for 32 years until 2013!  Roger enjoyed camping, fishing, playing softball, managing a women’s softball league, and riding motorcycle. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca. 

Roger is survived by his wife of 69 years, Helen Jean; children: Pam (John) Riederer of St. George, UT, Carrie (Robb) Archie of Buffalo, WY, Becky (Mike) Lee of Faribault, MN, John (Kathleen) Hanson of Hastings, MN, Julie (Matthew) Proehl of Spicer, MN; 13 grandchildren; six great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Margie Hanson; brother, Jerry Hanson; and sister, Barb Willman. 

Funeral Service will be 12:00 PM on Friday, May 31, 2024 at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca with Pastor Kristen Venne, officiating.  Interment will be at 6:00 PM on Friday at the Woodville Cemetery in Waseca. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service, starting at 11:00 AM at the church on Friday.