Derald Stanley Hanson

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 3rd at Sunset Funeral Home and Cemetery Chapel, 2250 St Anthony Boulevard NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418. A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m., the service at 11:00, and a luncheon will follow the service.

Derald was born on the Hanson family farm on March 3, 1936 in Dresser, Wisconsin to Arley Ismel Hanson and Adah Margaret Sorenson Hanson. He was the seventh of twelve children born to this family. In 1943, the family relocated to North Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Derald attended school and graduated in 1954 from Vocational High School in downtown Minneapolis. After graduation, Derald enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard where he served for six years.

He soon began a career as Traffic Manager at Plews Manufacturing in Minneapolis. While there he met Rosella through a mutual friend, and they quickly became a couple. After two years of dating, they were married in May of 1959 and had their first child, Doug in 1960. In 1961, a second son, Kenneth, was born. Sadly, he passed away the day of his birth.

That same year, Plews relocated to Granite Falls. They asked Derald to move with them to help establish the company there, because he was such a valued employee. Rosella soon had two more sons, Brian (1963) and Vernon (1964). In 1968 they returned to Minneapolis, and Derald took a job with Burgess Publishing Co. where he managed their shipping department. The family was then completed with the adoption of their daughter, Rebekah (Becky). Derald left Burgess in 1991 when he and Rosella bought a Mailboxes Etc. franchise in New Hope where they lived.

Derald loved being a father, and he was a hands-on dad in every aspect of his children’s life. He would take them fishing, to sports games, camping, and on road trips to visit other states and family who didn’t live in Minnesota. Their home was always filled with music and good times. For several years Derald and Rosella owned a lake home in Garfield Minnesota where many fun summer memories were made.

When grandchildren arrived (eight of them in nine years), Derald continued his active involvement with those children as well. Once Derald and Rosella retired, they took many trips - often with friends - in the U.S. and numerous other countries to include cruises. They purchased a home in Foley, Alabama where they lived 15 years before returning to the Twin Cities to be close to family.

Derald is survived by his wife of 65 years, Rosella (Toni) Hanson, who was his lifelong love and best friend. Four children: Doug Hanson (Deb Bly); Brian Hanson (Nancy); Vernon Hanson; and Rebekah (Becky) Sandeen (Craig). Grandchildren: Alex and Arlo Hanson; Ryne Hanson and Freya Klein (Grady); Alicia and Annalys Hanson; Amanda Huang (Rui); and Jake Sandeen (Madeline). Great grandchildren: Adrian and Winter Huang; and Owen and Ella Sandeen. Also his sister Pauline Wodtke, brothers Russell (Russ), Warren (Doug), and numerous nephews and nieces.

Derald was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Roland, Raymond, Milton, Laverne, Richard (Dick), Jack, and sisters Judy Kranitz and Gwendolyn (Gwen) Hanson. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.