Obituary of Lester Hanson

Gene Hanson, age 76, of Nowthen, died Sunday, July 10, 2011 at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, MN. Lester Eugene Hanson was born February 21, 1935 in Inver Grove Heights, MN to Herman and Marie (Randall) Hanson. At an early age his family moved to a farm in Albert Lea, MN and in 1950 to a farm west of Cambridge. Gene went on to serve his country in the military. He spent time in Germany. Gene married Mardell Ihns and later divorced. He went on to marry Catherine Rand in Anoka, MN. Gene and Cathy enjoyed gardening, garage sales, auctions and anything antique. Their yard in Ramsey is full of plants and flowers of all kinds. Gene is a retired Teamster Truck Driver, working for Minneapolis Moline, Gateway, and USF Holland. He also enjoyed collecting toy tractors and riding his Gold Wing motorcycle. He is preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Marie; brothers Merle, Dana, Marvin and Lyle; sisters Rita Hanson and Lois Triplett. Gene is survived by his wife Cathy; two grandsons Tim and Jesse; sister Iris Rath and family of St. Paul, MN; brother Martin "Skip" and his wife Ena and their family of Virginia, MN; brother Vernon and his wife Pat and their family of Cambridge; sister Norma Anderson and her family of Cambridge; sister Nancy J. Sager and friend Vicki and their family of Pine City, MN. Gene is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and friends of all ages.