JAMES DALE "SKINNY" HANSON

James “Skinny” Dale Hanson was born in Devils Lake, North Dakota on Jun 16, 1950 to Donald and Ethel (Barnick) Hanson. He was the fourth child of five. He grew up in Devils Lake and graduated high school from Devils Lake Central in 1968. He attended two years of college at Lake Region Junior College, graduating with a degree in Liberal Arts. He met his bride to be, Jody Schiller, while attending college and made her his own on November 23,, 1971. The couple lived in Minot, North Dakota and Jim worked with Mutt and Jeff Band as the lead singer. Later that year, the family moved to Devils Lake where Jim worked on missile bases in Langdon. After completing his work at the base the family moved back to Minot where Jim played in bands Spoof and Arbinson. In 1974, moving back to Devils Lake, Jim worked at Sioux Manufacturing Company as a semi-truck driver and material handler for 15 years. He also worked with Pizza Hut as a delivery driver for 25 years and played in several bands. In July of 1997, Jim welcomed his first granddaughter, Aubray and in July of 2001, his second granddaughter, Erin into his family. In June of 2016, Jim was diagnosed with cancer and hospital visits became frequent until he passed away on October 18, 2016. Jim enjoyed listening to music, jamming with several bands and fellow musicians, singing and drumming. It was a common sight to see him appear on the stage, sing a song, and be off into the night. He enjoyed teaching drumming lessons and keeping up on new drumming techniques. He belonged to a bowling league and billiards league. Playing black jack passed some time of his time. But more than anything, he loved keeping in touch with family and friends. A call from Jim was often even if it was quick, just to say hello and I love you. Many in the community knew him and loved him, as he served them food and always a joke or two on the side, fitting for the guy voted “Class Clown” his senior year in high school. He loved to see people smile and never met a stranger. He could talk to anyone. He was an unconditional lover of people and was kind and generous. Jim is survived by his loving family. His wife Jody; daughter Kerry and her husband Michael Morrison and their daughters and Jim’s granddaughters Aubray and Erin all of Fort Bragg, North Carolina; mother Effie Hanson, Devils Lake; brothers Donald A. (Clarice) Hanson, Detroit Lakes, MN and Darrell “Rocky” Hanson, Henderson, NV; sisters Charlotte (Dick) Sapa, Columbia Falls, MN and Kim (Joe) Burdick, Devils Lake; many nieces and nephews; several wonderful in-laws. Jim was welcomed home by his dad Donald; father-in-law and mother-in-law Stanley and Antoinette Barta and nephew Jimmy Sapa. Funeral Services for Jim will be on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Jim Paulson officiating. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and will continue at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Casket Bearers for Jim will be Blaine Burdick, Wilson Roberts, Mike Michalski, Nick Michalski, Rocky Hanson and Michael Morrison. Special Tribute by Kerry Morrison and music will be provided by Donovan Foughty and Jean Aardahl.