Harland Willis Hanson

Harland Willis Hanson, 90, passed away on September 18, 2018 at Bethany on 42nd in Fargo, ND surrounded by family.

Harland was born November 14, 1927 in Harvey, ND to John and Caroline (Setra) Hanson. The youngest of 13 children, he grew up on a farm southwest of Harvey. He moved to Fargo in 1951. He married Alice Lantz on September 14, 1952. They had 4 children: Sandy, John, Kevin and Carolyn, and recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary.

Harland served in the US Army and was honorably discharged to care for his ailing parents. He worked 5 years for Great Northern Railroad. He then spent 3 years with Jackson Company before joining Charbonneau Construction Company, where he quickly became building and concrete foreman, running a crew for 27 years. When owner Jack Charbonneau retired, he turned the business over to Harland who teamed up with Bob Keifert to form H & K Construction. That partnership dissolved when the 80’s recession hit, but the name H & K still remained. Harland, along with his sons, John and Kevin, were the trio that kept H & K Construction running for 20 years. Upon Harland’s retirement in 1995, the boys formed Hanbro Construction which is still in operation.

Harland was a self-taught guitar player and played dance jobs for 25 years in the Fargo area, including 5 years with Jimmy Jensen “The Swingin’ Swede” at the Fargo Eagle’s Club. He and Alice enjoyed camping at Camper’s Point on Pelican Lake and later purchased a mobile home on Pelican Beach Resort where they stayed nearly 20 years. (Harland was proud to have built the 3-plex and 4-plex at Pelican Beach with his boys, as well as remodeling the cabins and store). After their lake years ended, they became RedHawks baseball season ticket holders and kept those seats for 15+ years. He was also an avid Twins fan.

Harland came from humble beginnings and was proud to have built the house on 9th Street North in Fargo that he and Alice called home for 60 years. The footprint of that house changed many times at the work of his skilled hands. In 2016 it was time to move, and Bethany on 42nd became their new home. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Family was everything to him and he loved each and every one of his offspring dearly. He touched the hearts of so many people along his life’s journey.

Harland is survived by his wife, Alice; 4 children: Sandy (Bob) Hoy, Harwood, ND; John (Ronda) Hanson, Kevin (Kari) Hanson, Carolyn (Scott) Trana, all of Fargo; 11 grandchildren: Jim (Heidi) Hoy, Kindred, ND; Kristin (Aaron) Sorvig, Fargo; Dan Hoy, Harwood; Wade (Jenn) Hanson, West Fargo, ND; Michelle (Mike) Mages, St Cloud, MN; Katie Hanson, Plymouth, MN; Ali Hanson, Chicago, IL; Kaia (Craig) Ehrmantraut, Cory (Jordan) Trana, Matt (Katie Hickey) Trana, Sami Trana, all of Fargo; 9 great-grandchildren: Dawson & Elleigh Hoy, Beckham & Lauren Sorvig, Kellen & Kierstin Landman, Sage Hanson, Colbie LaRocque and Lincoln Ehrmantraut.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 8 sisters and 4 brothers.