Dear Dad.
     Times are trying and I'm trying to get that guidance you alwaYs gave to me...Sometimes I wish I could come upend see you.  I miss you so much and feel lost so please give me an extra big sign that you are with me ok?  I go in for  my DBS surgery in a week and have high hopes of no more medication!  You are in the wind
can't rescind inner strength that of a kind will fed my soul but not my mind....... love eric

Dear Betty
Your very faraway relatives in Sweden are sorry to hear that John passed away in last november. We remember very much our visit in your home and on John

Dear Aunt Betty,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. My mom loved you both dearly and spoke often with much appreciation for your kindness, generosity, and friendship. She thoroughly enjoyed your and John's company. I know John was a great man and will be dearly missed. 
Much love to you,

Dear Dad,
    Its New Year's Eve, signaling the end of what most of my friends have called the year to forget because there's so much to remember. I will always  remember your generosity towards those who you barely knew, people who you stood nothing to gain from or achieve some kind of social standing.   You were the original Pay It Forward guy before it was chic too pay for the drive-up car's tgb in the Starbucks car behind you.  You were the man who would give a homeless person with a little money but  give him a geography lesson or make him promise he would buy a certain book and REALLY READ THE  BOOK.  I do not truly remember many New Year's nights with you (one of those rare times that adults had the right to sequester themselves from kids). What I do remember was the family day at the Rose Parade in Pasadena and how much more exciting it was to see the floats up close and all of the fanfare associated with it.  The balloons fell from the sky 2 days later and several of them dropped into a our swimming pool like pears from heaven.  Those are the times that you always let  us experience even if it was a dud and you knew it was going to be a dud...When I think of New Year's , my thoughts of course turn to new beginnings  and change of old patterns....One of commitments is to put 201.4 entries in your journal in 2014, to keep it alive both for me and for everyone else  who  has much to say about  what a fantastic man you are and keep you informed on who is doing what! Betty Sue and I continue to talk, and maybe well do a trip together...Love Eric

Dear Betty, Eric, Mark, and Greg:  It's been my pleasure to know the Hanson family since 1973.  Much like my own father, John Hanson was a kind and considerate man who always tried his best to understand and improve the lives of others.  Most of the time I spent with John was playing bridge--where the conversation was always lighthearted and focused on the game at hand.  Once however, years ago, John called me on the phone.  He was seeking advice regarding how best to help one of his sons.  Despite John's stature in the legal profession, here was a man who was willing to admit that he didn't have all the answers....but would go to great lengths to find them when it came to doing his best by and for his children.  God's speed to you John, and thanks again for taking us to Benihana and many other places we couldn't afford!

Dear Dad,
     I know how excited you used to get when XMAS was upon us and  you would use every trick in the book to get us to behave.....we knew who he  was! ALl we want not is your beautiful spirit to touch us and Betty, Sue and Verlie, Rick and Curt.  You sure lost the weight real fast ever year.  WE love you from the North Pole  to the South Pole!

DEAR BETTY, 
     I THNK OF YOU AS XMAS APPROACHES, AND SENSE THE IMPENDING EMPTINESS FOR US ALL, BUT ESPECIALLY FOR  FOR YOU.  KNOW THAT SUE IAN AND I IN SALT LAKE, MARK AND VERLIE IN CHAMPAIGNE, GREG AND DIANE IN LOSO ANGELES, RICKI AND CURT, ALL OF THE TREASURED FRIENDS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WILL BE SENDING YOU STRENGTH AND LOVE ON XMAS DAY.   KNOW THAT ALTHOUGH JOHN IS NOT BESIDE YOU IN ONE WAY, HE IS SO ROOTED IN YOUR HEART SAND SOUL THAT YOU CAN ACCESS HIM WHEN YOU REALLY NEED TO.  I SALUTE THIS  XMAS SEASON HOW INCREDIBLY YOU TOOK CARE OF MY  DAD THE LAST 40  XMASSES.  MAY JOHNS MEMORY AND LEGACY LIVE FOREVER.... ERIC'

I didn't know John well, but I knew he was a good husband to my sister, Betty, and that made OK in my book. I know well what your are going thru Betty, but he will be looking over your shoulder for the rest of your life and making sure you are safe.

Dear Betty, Eric, and Sue,

It was a privilege to have been able to meet and spend time with John on several occasions.  He was a very special man, whose keen intellect was only surpassed by his genuine warmth and fondness for all he met.  He was a man of considerable dignity and grace who embraced life to the fullest.  He left a lasting impression on me that I will never forget.  May God bless you and hold you close during this difficult time.  Love, Bruce

Dear Dad,
     There are no words to say, only that I miss you more each week.   Your greatness is  your legacy, love Eric

Dear Mr.Hanson

 Its Marena, i just want you to know you will always have a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. These past 5 years have been truly amazing and some of the happiest years i have had in my life. It was a pleasure and an honor to take care of you. You are such a wonderful, kind person and there is not a day that goes by that i don't think of  you and Mrs.Betty. I love you both so very much like family and Betty, Thank you for everything, your such a wonderful person Betty you did so much For John, and hope you know your an angel and that John is at peace and resting and will look over us always. Hope your okay and feel great because you were an amazing wife for John. Love you Always Marena.

Dear Betty
John was truly a fine gentleman and a gentle man. I miss him as a member of the Niners and as a friend who always had an interesting, well reasoned opinion about the affairs of the day. Stay well.
Ron Paolucci

Dear Dad,
    I'm missing you something fierce  today and feeling your guiding presence.   I gave thanks that you were ever my dad!

We are doing our best to support  Betty at this time, so give her a love squeeze from Heaven OK?  She wOuld really love that...love Eric and Sue

Hello Betty,

We have been best friends with Eric and Sue for 25 years.  We have heard such amazing stories about John.  We felt like we knew him. Please know we'll be keeping you in our thoughts and wishing you all the strength and comfort you need today and in the days to come.

Always,
Jim and Cindy Reichelt
Salt Lake City, Utah

Dear Betty,

We have been best friends with Eric and Sue for 25 years.  We have heard such amazing stories about John.  We felt like we knew him. Please know we

Dear Eric, 
What a handsome man your Father  is!
Even though I did not have the pleasure of meeting him, I feel that I know him because of the legacy he leaves behind in you, Eric.  I love and respect you and the many wonderful characteristics you have.  Eric, I also know how much you love numbers; and I find it so interesting that your Dad was born on 10/22/22 (great symmetry) and passed away on 11/12/13 (linear).  May you find peace in knowing that you are loved and that you now have a wonderful guardian angel watching over you and your family.  Sending love and light your way. 
God bless, Frances

Whenever my Dd would surmise a situation and  the outcome didi not look good he would say "it's going to be a bad day at black rock"...Fortunately for John there were very few of such days

Life is a song - sing it. Life is a game - play it. Life is a challenge - meet it. Life is a dream - realize it. Life is a sacrifice - offer it. Life is love - enjoy it. 

" I have had the wonderful privilage to be John Hanson's daughter-in- law for 24 years. He lived life to the fullest and made my life so full by being part  of it. We all will miss him deeply, and we send him our love,and we send our love to his soulmate Betty during this difficult time. Rest in Peace John, Love you Sue

I was John Hanson's secretary at Gibson Dunn for 15 years and he was a pleasure to work for.  I found him to be a kind and generous person.  He cared about people and was always a gentlemen.  I will miss him.
Zella Shigg

OBITUARY

John J. Hanson

October 22, 1922 – November 12, 2013

Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Mortuary

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