Harry Hanson was born to Norwegian/Danish parents in Hettinger, North Dakota on May 13, 1931. He grew up digging tunnels in the prairie with Fido, his dog and Bessie, his pet pig. As a small child growing up during WWII, he followed the combat around the world via maps out of the newspaper hung up across the walls. He was a farmer’s son, then a salesman’s son, and finally a janitor’s son. He always had a job and bought his mother her first refrigerator when he was in high school, in addition to his leather coat and convertible. From his father he learned honesty and hard work; from his mother he learned kindness, geography and Luther’s catechism. He always went to church. He graduated from Hettinger High School in 1949. He had been on the honor roll until he discovered girls.
At 15 (he was tall for his age) he joined the National Guard – because he thought it would be fun, and to him it was. He was activated during the Korean War, and spent it teaching draftees. He was also trained as an engineer and later went to school on the GI bill. In 1956 he graduated with straight A’s from Dunwoody Technical College. Harry stayed in the Army Reserves completing over 30 years and achieving the equivalent of a masters in military science. He had earned the rank of Lt. Colonel, but was retired a Major.
In 1953, Harry met June, a nurse at the Hettinger hospital. They liked to do things together, especially dance, and had a lot of fun. They became friends; he had the car and she paid for the gas. Within a year, Harry had proposed marriage, but June was Catholic. So Harry studied the Catholic beliefs, compared them to Lutheran and realized he just couldn’t convert. So June did. They eloped and were married on February 26th, 1954, almost 66 years ago. Harry and June were blessed with three children: Cindy (lost to breast cancer in 2005), Tena (Bellevue) and Peter (West Seattle). All three were confirmed in this church. When asked what he was most proud of in his life, he said having found such a lovely woman to spend it with.
Harry started working in refrigeration engineering in Oregon in 1965. He worked hard to learn a new field and in 1971 moved to Kirkland, Washington to take another opportunity. Here he designed and patented a spiral freezer before going into the business of industrial refrigeration equipment for himself. He designed, sold and installed freezing systems around the world. By the end of his career he was a recognized expert in his field.
All his life, Harry devoted himself to caring for his family and friends – and that included his church. In high school he started ushering ‘to have something to do.’ In addition to greeting and ushering, he served on the finance committee for many years, was a counter and started the “knitters” with Vern Mueller when he retired; they fixed things and laughed for many years.
Harry is survived by his soulmate June, two children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
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