Chuck was a wonderful big brother to me his younger sister (8 years younger), even if he was a big teaser to his little brother and sisters.  When I was a little girl he would take my favorite cat Nichodemous to the upper 2nd story window of our farm house and drop him out of the windows telling me "don't worry Lois, he will always land on his feet".  When my mom and dad moved back to Wisconsin from Loda I was living in Paxton alone and Chuck sent me a bouquet of 12 long stemmed red roses.  He was always so thoughtful.  It was an honor to be a bridesmaid when Chuck & Phyllis were married.  When Chuck went through his knee surgery it was our pleasure to spend 1 week with Phyllis while Chuck was recooperating.

I am Chuck's oldest sister. Our Dad was a farmer, and we lived up a 3/4 mile dirt lane.  Can you imagine what it was like during the rainy season or during the winter?  Many, many days we walked the 2 1/2 miles to Paxton High School.  Some days in the wintertime the temperature was -20.  During the fall, he would go out for football practice and then walk home.  On the football team, he lettered all 4 years.  He was selected to be on the all-state team his senior year.  In the spring of the year he went out for track.  After he got home, he still had farm chores to do.  In high school, he was very active with the FFA program.  He won many ribbons when he exhibited swine at the county fairs, as well as the state fair.  His favorite hobbies were fishing and hunting.  He enjoyed going to visit and fishing with his youngest brother, John, in Wisconsin.  Many years he came up to Ford County on Veteran's Day to hunt. I am thankful that Chuck knew the Lord and spent time working for him.  During the last few days of his life, he was in much pain and was waiting for the Lord to call him home. He was ready. These are a few of my memories of a wonderful brother.   

Uncle Chuck had a infectuous smile and chuckle. He loved to tease, and then he would laugh. He made me laugh with him!

Chuck and Phyllis opened their home to me for the first year that I taught in Marquette Heights.  They treated me like royalty, and very special to me--they treated me like a daughter.  In fact I called them my other set of parents.  I always felt indepted to them for helping me to survive through that rough first year of not having much money and the trials and tribulations of being a first year kindergarten teacher.  They were always there to listen and give good advice.

His church was very important to Chuck.  He was very involved and dedicated to the Lord and the church. He invited us to many of the strawberry suppers and special meals that he helped to prepare.  When he was asked to bring something for an occasion, he stirred up and baked the most beautiful and delicous angle food cake. I often thought that Phyllis would have been proud of him, but she never realized all of his talents!

Chuck loved plants.  He had beautiful flowers, and kept them well after Phyllis had passed away! When we would invite him for family dinners or special occasions, if flowers were in season, he would bring a gorgeous boquet in a beautiful vase. He would always tell me to "just keep the vase."

When the nurses in nursing home would do something for him, he would tell all of the nurses "You are my favorite nurse!" and he would smile that infectious smile. They all loved him and were so good to him.

As a small child, it seemed like such a long way to travel from Paxton to Pekin, but I loved to go to their home. They had cats that would hide because they were shy of guests. It was always exciting for me to find one of them!  Even as far as I can remember Chuck always took time to talk with my brother, Darrell, and me and treated us like we were special. He was always interested in what we were doing and involved in at the various stages of our life.

For as long as Chuck was able he would come to our farm or the Uncle Wendell's farm for opening day of pheasant hunting season, and he would bring Phyllis and a couple of men friends who also wanted to hunt.  It was a very exciting time for all of us, because it was a family gathering time and the men would almost always get their limit of birds. The women would prepare oyster soup and chili with a few side dishes for dinner.  Yum! Of course the women would visit and get caught up on family happenings as the men hunted.

A special vacation that I remember was when my family, Uncle Chuck and Aunt Phyllis, and Aunt Lois and Uncle Wendell and their family rented cabins at a lake by Hayward, Wisconsin. I was about 9 years old. We caught fish and ate them for dinners.  We swam by the boat docks, and we searched for and found chipmunks.  The fun part about the vacation was that we fit 11 people into two cabins. I can still have the vision of Uncle Chuck, Dad, and Uncle Wendell sitting in that boat patiently waiting for the fish to bite!

When we would go to the nursing home to visit Uncle Chuck during his last few months, we knew that he did not feel well and was in a lot pain.  However, he never complained.  He always asked about our daughters, Jennifer and Jannica, and he was curious and interested about our activities. As we said our good byes, he always thanked Jim for all he had done and was doing for him as his power of attorney.  

Uncle Chuck was a very special person in my life!
He passed away two days before his birthday.  I really  think that he had a teriffic sensational party in heaven with Aunt Phyllis, Uncle Earl and Aunt Jean, his parents, my dad, Aunt Ethel and Uncle Bob and Bruce! Maybe there were others special in his life, too, who helped him celebrate. What a party!

We wanted to give our regards and sympathy.  Chuck was a wonderful neighbor while we lived on 4th St.  Benjamin still remembers climbing on his stairs on the back porch.  I am sure he is now having long conversations with my grandmother.  May he now rest in peace.

OBITUARY

Charles J Hanson

July 4, 1919 – July 2, 2006

Preston-Hanley Funeral Home & Crematory

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