Charles Hanson
January 5, 1936 ~ July 22, 2023
Born in:
Brooten, Minnesota
Resided in:
Hillsboro, North Dakota
Charles Hanson was born on January 5, 1936. He grew up on a farm and went to school in Brooten, Minnesota. He attended Concordia College in Moorehead, Minnesota and graduated in 1961. He met Mary Nygaard through his college roommate, Peter Nygaard (Mary’s brother) and married her in 1965. They both taught in Hillsboro for 35 years until their retirement in 1997. Charles was actively involved in the Hillsboro community. He taught history, geography and civics at the high school. He was president of the historical society for many years, transforming a small museum into a facility enjoyed by the entire community. He taught driver’s education, drove the school bus, and taught adult education classes on furniture restoration. He was an active member and volunteer at Our Savior’s Lutheran church for his entire life in Hillsboro. After retirement, he and Mary spent many years enjoying their children and grandchildren with frequent visits to Minneapolis and to their lake home in central Minnesota. Charles also reconnected with farming during his retirement and helped with harvest for over ten years. Charles was a lifelong reader and learner, an active gardener, and a collector of antiques from his Norwegian heritage. He loved socializing with family and friends, especially if it involved eating and enjoying new tastes. Charles will be missed by the entire community of people who knew him.
Charles died peacefully on July 22nd, 2023 at the hospital in Hillsboro surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife, Mary, sons Erik, and Chip, daughters-in-law Luanne (Erik) and Julie (Chip), and three grandchildren, Ray, Marlie, and Hazel, all of whom he was immensely proud. He is also survived by brother-in-law Peter, and numerous nephews and nieces.
Funeral arrangements are by Boulger Funeral Home in Hillsboro. The funeral service will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, ND, on Wednesday, August 2 at 2:00pm. The family requests that any remembrances or gifts be made to the Hillsboro Kiwanis Food Pantry.
Services
Visitation - Wednesday: August 2, 2023 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Hillsboro
204 East Caledonia Avenue
Hillsboro, ND 58045
(701) 636-5701
http://oslchillsboro.com/
Funeral Service - Wednesday: August 2, 2023 2:00 pm
Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Hillsboro
204 East Caledonia Avenue
Hillsboro, ND 58045
(701) 636-5701
http://oslchillsboro.com/
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Thoughts and prayers to your whole family. Charles was such a gentle man who will be greatly missed by so many. God bless his memory.
Our prayers to Mary, Erik, Chipper, and the whole family. RIP Charles. You were a great teacher, great teaching colleague, and great friend. I really enjoyed our fishing trips. Pam enjoyed Charles as a great instructor as well.
Rich and Pam Flieth
Charles Hanson was a great man and good friend. He was very devoted to his faith and family. I don’t know if he ever raised his voice, he was so soft spoken and very interesting to visit with. We’ll miss him.
Charles was a great teacher and a great human being: humble, honest, caring, and I could list many more positive attributes. Many fond memories of his classes, and I am deeply saddened that he has left us. Deepest sympathies to his family.
Rest In Peace
Donnie and Patti
Thoughts and prayers to Mary, Erik, Chip and the entire family. Mr. Hanson was an excellent educator and mentor to many students, the things he taught us about history, civics, not to sound biased but my favorite was the North Dakota history class he taught us as freshmen -I still have my book we made for it.
prayers to Mary, Erik, Chipper
Mr. Hanson was a wonderful teacher. I truly felt blessed to be taught by him. He helped sparked my interest in history, and geography. I recently ran across the book I received from the History Kiwanis Award, and I remembered the great discussions we would have with Mr. Hanson in class. I’ve passed on my love of history, and geography to my youngest son who is talking about being a history teacher.
Mr. Hanson came up in conversation with my oldest son last week. We were attending his first driver’s education class together. I shared stories with my son about taking driving classes with Mr. Hanson, and the wonderful patience he had. The impact Mr. Hanson had on so many people is most likely further than you realize.
Prayers to your family. May the wonderful memories, and knowing the positive impact he had on thousands of people bring you comfort during this challenging time.
Mr Hanson was a wonderful teacher! I always enjoyed his class. He was such a kind and caring man! You are all in my thoughts and prayers! Rest In Peace Mr. Hanson!❤️
Mr Hanson was a great teacher. He sowed seeds of curiosity in so many of his students. He was a kind blessing to my education and the education of numbers of other students.
RIP Mr Hanson.
Sending prayers to the Hanson family. My curiosity and love for the history of North Dakota was sewn in his classroom and continues today. The greatest achievement of a teacher is for he or she to make a difference in a student’s life, and judging from the comments written here, it was clear Mr. Hanson did just that.
Sending condolences and prayers to Mary, the children, and the grand-kids. Charles will be sadly missed by all who loved him. RIP dear Charles.
Dianne Peterson Morris
Mr Hanson was a great teacher. He was one of many excellent teachers at HHS during my “tenure” as a student. Mr Hanson will be missed by all, students and family.
Condolences to the Hanson family in the loss of Charles. Mr.Hanson was a great teacher who treated all people with kindness and respect. He was a true gentleman. God bless our good memories of Mr. Hanson.