Walter M. Hanson

Walter M. Hanson, a longtime Lake Region area farmer, passed away on Monday, February 4, 2013 at the Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake with loving family at his side. He was 88 years old. Funeral Services for Walter will be held on Monday, February 11, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Rev. Jeff Nicla officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. with a Time of Remembrance at 5:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Walter will be interred in the Devils Lake Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Walter Martin was born on June 27, 1924 in Devils Lake, ND the son of Martin and Inga (Nelson) Hanson. He grew up in Morris Township where he attended a country school and then Devils Lake Central High School. He spent his youth helping his parents on the farm. Walter enlisted in the United States Army on February 26, 1946 at Fort Snelling, MN and served his country in Seoul, Korea. He was honorably discharged on August 17, 1947 at Camp Stoneman, California with the rank of Sergeant. Walter was united in marriage to his beloved Helen Mae Weed on February 9, 1948 in Devils Lake. They would have celebrated 65 years of marriage on Saturday. They established their home in Poplar Grove Township where they farmed, ranched and raised their family through the years. They also operated the Lake Region Livestock Sales Ring Café from 1959 to 1965. In 1966, they bought the Seivert Thompson Ranch, rural Warwick where they farmed until 1977 at which time they moved to Lakewood but continued to farm until retiring in 1989. In 1998, when the flood waters came to Lakewood, they were forced to leave the Lakewood area and moved into Devils Lake. For 18 years, they wintered in Arizona and also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii and also were thrilled to travel to Norway and the Vancouver Island of Canada. Many beautiful summer days were spent camping with his children and grandchildren and what joy it brought to Walter. He loved Medora and the family attended one of the very first Medora productions, “Old Four Eyes” and made many repeat trips. Walter was very community minded and believed in giving of his time and talents. He was an active member of the Warwick Lutheran Church and St. Olaf Lutheran Church, serving in many capacities on the Church Council and other committees. He was a 4-H Leader, member of the Lion’s Club, Devils Lake Elks Lodge , Odd Fellows and the Sons of Norway. He served on several boards including the Federal Land Bank and the Farmers Union Elevator Board. Walter was a man of faith, believed in hard work and was so thankful for the blessings of family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Helen; son Armen and his wife Connie of Devils Lake and daughter Connie and her husband Darrel Heins of Fessenden, ND; three granddaughters Callie Jo Hanson at UND, Dusti (Eric) Mogren of Castle Rock, CO and Kaila (Justin) Muscha also of Fessenden; three great grandchildren Hunter and Kaidynce Mogren and Harper Walter Muscha; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Dorothy and Glenn Hodous, Devils Lake, Donald and Ila Weed, Judd, ND, Ray and Carol Weed, Minnewaukan, ND and Lois Weed, Devils Lake; many nieces, nephews and their families. Walter was preceded in death by his parents; brother Hilmer Hanson and sisters Lily Beth Appleton, Irma Zeigler and Mickey Collins. Casket Bearers for Walter will be his granddaughters, Callie Jo, Dusti and Kaila and Eric Mogren, Justin Muscha and Josh Greene. Music will be provided by Carleen Hanson, LeNae Lee and Jeff Nicla as vocalists and Lynda Pearson, organist.