Larry Leland Hanson

Larry Hanson, 87, passed away peacefully at home on August 28, 2025, surrounded by his family. He has rejoined the love of his life, Raili (Kuivikko) Hanson, who passed away 15 years earlier. She was used to patiently waiting for him to finish up his work and come home to her.

Larry was a beloved leader, storyteller, mentor, and friend. He was deeply loved by his family and respected by his community, and his warmth, kindness, and quiet strength left an impression that reached far beyond the city limits of Everett, Washington.

Over the years, and especially during his six weeks in hospice care at home, his family was touched by the outpouring of love, stories, and memories shared by friends, colleagues, and loved ones. It was a joy and privilege to hear, once again, how much Larry meant to so many.

Born December 18, 1937, Larry was raised at the end of Jordan Road (now 100th St SE & 35th St) by his parents, Willard and Anna, along with five older siblings. Growing up during the Depression, Larry’s childhood was rich with adventure and rooted in a hardworking, loving family. He often shared stories from those years, proudly calling himself "A Kid from Jordan Road."

In school, Larry was a student leader and standout athlete in many sports. At Everett High, he excelled as a baseball catcher on the Varsity Team. He went on to play fast-pitch softball and tennis and later coached both of his children in basketball. His leadership skills also emerged early, as a Junior Grange Leader where he served in tandem with his father, who led the Tri-Way Grange. His confidence and natural athletic abilities gave him a real presence paired with his humble, charming, and vital sense of humor.

After 6 months of active duty service in the Army (he later served in the Army Reserves for six years), Larry earned his Associate Degree from Everett Junior College and a Bachelor’s in Business Management from the University of Washington. While in school, he took a job as a messenger at The Everett Herald, and what started as an entry-level position blossomed into a remarkable 45-year career.

Larry rose through the ranks at the newspaper quickly, working in nearly every department before being named President and Publisher in 1984. His time at The Herald wasn’t just a job, it was a calling. He helped foster a unique culture of trust, camaraderie, and creativity, and considered his colleagues an extension of his family.

Larry somehow made time for everything. He worked hard, played harder, and was never too busy to show up for his community, or the people he loved. Over his lifetime, he was active in more than 30 civic and professional organizations. He was a dedicated member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and a tireless advocate for education, journalism, and the next generation.

At home, Larry was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He mentored and encouraged his children through all of life’s twists and turns. Jeff fondly remembers time spent competing together at tennis, on the golf course and watching many ballgames. And Wendy loved working with her Dad on creative projects and appreciated him enthusiastically jumping in whenever her art work needed another set of hands.

The joy of becoming a grandfather, first to Derek and then to Anna, gave Larry permission to become a kid again. He was their #1 cheerleader for every occasion and always took a keen interest in whatever they did, helping them take it to the next level. Retirement gave him more time to invest in his grandkids, and in caring for Raili during her long battle with Parkinson’s.

Twenty years ago, Larry and Raili moved from their home in Everett to a condo on the Mukilteo waterfront. He wanted Raili to have a front-row seat to the beauty of the Puget Sound. They watched the ferries cross to Whidbey Island, marveled at endless sunsets, and caught the occasional glimpse of an Orca Pod and other sea life. But, Larry never strayed too far from his home town of Everett. From their living room, he was able to keep an eye on the city he loved.

Even in his final weeks, he was on the sidelines cheering, camera in hand, always ready to capture special moments. In fact, if you knew Larry, there's a good chance he took a photo of you. His love of photography was just another expression of his joy in people. He often turned those photos into full albums, gifts of memory, meaning, and beauty.

Larry had a talent for finding the light in others and reflecting it back. He saw people clearly and helped them feel truly seen. Whether you knew him for decades or just met him briefly, you likely left the encounter feeling better than when you came.

He was happy. He was kind. He was creative and giving. Larry made every space he entered warmer, and every life he touched better. And even though we’ll miss him deeply, we can still hear his voice reminding us, he’ll always be right there in our pockets.

Larry was preceded in death by his wife Raili, his parents Willard and Anna, and his siblings Bill, Bob, Sylvia, Wes, and Dick. He is survived by his son Jeff (Colleen) Hanson, daughter Wendy (John McRandle) Hanson, and grandchildren Derek (Sarah Nichols) Hanson and Anna (Chyna McRae) Hanson.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 25th at Our Savior's Lutheran Church (215 Mukilteo Blvd, Everett – www.oslc-everett.com).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

The Everett Museum https://www.everettmuseum.org/donate or

YMCA of Snohomish County https://www.ymca-snoco.org/give/