Russell Hanson

Russell Gordon Hanson was born on March 16, 1923 to Henry and Ida (Gilbertson) Hanson in Fargo, ND. Russell passed away Monday, May 21, 2012 at the age of 89 years in Fargo, ND.

Russell grew up and attended school in Argusville and graduated in 1941. He helped with the family farm. After graduating, he and several friends went to California. When World War II began, they worked their way home and all enlisted, Russell into the Army Air Corp. He served as a Corporal in the South Pacific Islands, working as an armament on P-38’s. He was stationed in Hawaii, Iwo Jima, Marshall, Gilbert Islands, and more, from September 1942 to November 1945.

Russell married Eleanor Eggert on October 9, 1948 in Fargo. They raised their family and farmed near Argusville for 50 years. He retired in 1997. They spent winter months in Arizona and at their summer home on Trowbridge Lake near Vergas, MN. Russell liked entertaining friends and taking everyone for pontoon rides, especially the grandkids to the resort for ice cream cones. He liked doing carpentry work and kept busy at home and at his kids’ homes.

Russell was a life member at the West Fargo VFW and Harwood American Legion, and also a member of the Eastgate Masonic Lodge and El Zagal Shrine Oriental Band. He was a member of and served on the board at the Argusville UCC. While serving in 1958 as President of the Argusville School Board, the new school was built. He was a long time member of the Elks, Eagles, and Lions.

Russell is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eleanor; two sons, Steven (Diane) Hanson and Clifford (Michelle) Hanson, both of Argusville, ND; two daughters, Deborah Bakkila, West Fargo, ND, and Cynthia (Wade) Benson, Horace, ND; ten grandchildren, Brent (Laura) Hanson, Eric Hanson, Robert (Trisha) Hanson, Derek (Brook) Bakkila, Aime’e Bakkila, Kayla (Ves) Marinov, Matthew Benson, Lacey Benson, Jed Hanson, Cheyenne Hanson; nine great-grandchildren, Taylor Hanson, Kalyn Fraser, Gage Hanson, Payton Hanson, Kamrenn Chapman, Jayden Bakkila, Paityn Bakkila, Tristan Marinov, Spencer Bakkila; one great-great grandchild, Gavin Martinson; sisters-in-law, Irene (Everett) Walkinshaw, Marion (Clayton) Nedrebo, Martha Hanson; and many nieces and nephews.

Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Ida Hanson, brothers, Henry, Howard, Lloyd, and Milo; sisters, Rubye Dunn and Pearl Hanson; sister-in-law, Artis Hanson; and brother-in-law, Floyd Dunn.

Funeral Service: 10:30am, Thursday, May 24, 2012 at First Congregational UCC, Fargo, ND.

Visitation: 5-7PM, Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND, and one hour prior to the service at church.

Masonic Service: 7:00PM, Wednesday, at the funeral home.

Memorials may be sent to the El Zagal Hospital Transportation Fund or Argusville Community Center.

Russell’s family would like to thank the wonderful and caring staff at Rosewood on Broadway. They treated Russell and his family so nicely during his time there.

We love you and will keep you close in our hearts always.