Karl "Sonny" Hanson Jr.

Karl “Sonny” Hanson, Jr., 88, of Fergus Falls, passed away Tuesday, June 16, 2020, at the Minnesota Veteran’s Home in Fergus Falls.

Karl was born August 22, 1931, on the family farm near Fergus Falls. He was the youngest of nine children born to Karl and Clara (Anderson) Hanson. He left school in the 9th grade to work on the family farm.
He was a member of the U.S. Army, serving from April 1954 to April 1957 when he was honorably discharged for medical injuries suffered during the Korean War. Karl was a long-time employee of Conagra Flour Mills and farmed near Fergus Falls.

On March 13, 1954, he married Elaine Sander at the Foxhome Lutheran Church in Foxhome, MN. After retirement the couple moved to the lake. After Elaine passed, Karl moved back to Fergus Falls to be close to family.

Karl was an avid wood worker, making numerous furniture pieces for his family. He especially enjoyed making toys, which his great-grandchildren loved to play with when they came to visit. He was also an excellent fisherman, passing on his love of fishing and hunting to his son’s and grandchildren. He enjoyed his breakfast coffee club at McDonald’s.

Karl was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and father-in-law. You couldn’t have asked for a more kind and generous man. He will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his sister, Louise Hokanson; one daughter, LuAnn Hanson; four sons, Jeff (Pam) Hanson, Wayne (Sheila) Hanson, Tim (Joanne) Hanson, and Dan (Brenda) Hanson all of Fergus Falls; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild, special friend, Mary Lou Bates and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family.

Karl was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine; his parents, Karl and Clara; infant grandson, Jacob; seven siblings, Conrad, Reynold, Harold, Vernon, Norman, and Reynold II Hanson, and Mae Youngberg.

Memorials are preferred to Fergus Falls Minnesota Veteran’s Home, the Fergus Falls V.F.W. Post #612, and Augustana Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.

Walk-through Visitation: Thursday, June 18, 2020, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.

Graveside Service: 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 19, 2020, at Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls, Minnesota

Military participation by the Fergus Falls V.F.W. Post #612 and American Legion Post #30

Clergy: Pastor Jerry Peterson
Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Arrangements are provided by the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.
Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com