John Andrew Hanson

John Andrew Hanson, 92, passed away peacefully at home on May 22 surrounded by his family. John was born on July 13, 1932 in Villa Park, Illinois. He was the son of Earl and Gladys Hanson. He graduated from Wheaton Academy High School in 1950 then attended Wheaton College for two years before attending Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO where he earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry. He then went on to do graduate work in ecology from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Some of John’s happiest early days were spent working as a forest ranger and playing guitar with friends in Colorado and Idaho. In the summer of 1955, he worked in Estes Park, Colorado at the Elkhorn Lodge where he learned to make his famous spaghetti sauce, an all-day affair and family favorite known simply as Papa’s Sauce, which had never been written down until recently.

In 1969, John married his cherished wife, Karen Clapsaddle, in Evergreen, Colorado. They had two children together, Mark Hanson and Gail Hanson Hommertzheim and two grandchildren Katherine Anne Hommertzheim and John Edward Hommertzheim who all live in Colorado.

John also worked for Upjohn Pharmaceuticals in Tucson, Arizona followed by Abbott Laboratories where he stayed for the next thirty years as a district, then regional manager in Colorado, Texas, and Illinois. John formulated many lifelong friendships during his time with Abbott. Upon retirement, John and Karen returned to his beloved Boulder, Colorado, while spending winters in Arizona.

John loved golf, which he played nearly every day that the weather allowed. He was particularly known for his chipping abilities. He was an avid Chicago Cubs and CU Buffs fan. He enjoyed history, reading, fishing, hiking in the mountains, and just being outdoors. Trees were his specialty. He loved to teach others how to appreciate the ecology of the forest. He also had a perpetual sweet tooth and never passed on dessert!

John was extraordinarily positive and a gifted storyteller. He could entertain a large table with fantastic, and true, stories of his life. John never needed material items to make him happy, just a beautiful Colorado day, a golf club, and the love of his family and many friends. He smiled, laughed, joked, and even sang into his last days on this earth. John will be dearly missed.

John is survived by his wife, Karen, his children, Mark (Justine) and Gail (Tim), his grandchildren, Katherine and John, and several nieces and nephews. A private family service will be held. Please consider a donation to Samaritan’s Purse (Samaritanspurse.org).