Obit: Hanson, Jon Herbert #2 (1934 - 2011)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Hanson, Weiland, Heisel, Christophersen, Cramer, Stoltz, Jandt, Lowe, Herdt

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) February 2, 2011

Hanson, Jon Herbert (9 November 1934 - 25 January 2011) With flag

Jon H. Hanson, 76, of Greenwood died Jan. 25, 2011, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.

John Herbert Hanson was born Nov. 9, 1934, in La Crosse, the son of William O. and Mildred (Weiland) Hanson.  He was raised and received his education in La Crosse, graduating from La Crosse Central High School in 1952.  While in High School, Jon joined the U. S. Navy Reserves in 1951.  After graduation, Jon attended Olivette Nazarene College in Kankakee, IL, for one year.  He then transferred to La Crosse College for one year before being called into active duty with the Navy for three years.  After completing his active duty, he returned to La Crosse College, now UW-La Crosse.  He was united in marriage to Nancy Heisel May 6, 1961, in Valley.  Jon graduated in 1963 from UW-La Crosse with his degree in teaching.  He taught at Bangor for the second semester of 1963, then at Trempealeau, La Crosse Lincoln and finally moved to Greenwood, in 1965, where he taught at the junior and senior high school.  He retired from the Navy Reserves in 1966.  In 1973, Jon entered the Wisconsin Army National Guards and remained in the guards until retiring in 1989.  During his time in the guards, Jon occasionally taught at the Wisconsin Military Academy at Camp Douglas.  During his teaching career at Greenwood, he was very active in extra curricular activities.  Jon directed the three-act plays for three years and coached wrestling, golf and the High Quiz Bowl.   He also was the adviser to the National Honor Society for many years.  He refereed all sports for 30 years.  One of the highlights of his umpiring career was umpiring one of the National Qualifying Tournaments for the American Softball Association.

Jon loved to sing.  He was a member of the Clark County Male Chorus for 47 years and sang in the Palm Sunday Choir for 27 years.  Jon also directed the adult and youth choir at Grace United Methodist Church for several years.  He was also a very patriotic man.  He was a member of the Greenwood American Legion Post #238, a member of the VFW Post $2241 where he served as the post commander two times, a member of the Clark County Area Veteran’s Council and was very active with The Highground Memorial in Neillsville.  Jon was also a charter member of the Greenwood Lions Club.

He will be dearly missed by his wife of 49 years and nine months, Nancy of Greenwood; his children, Sheila (Mark) Christophersen of Withee, Dana Cramer of Greenwood, Paul Hanson of Greenwood; six grandchildren: Kari, Cody and Emily Christophersen, Meagan, Sean and Katie Cramer; two brothers: Donald (Mary) Hanson of La Crosse and William P. (Joannie) Hanson of Menifee, CA; two sisters: Janice Stoltz of Dodgeville and Nancy (Ken) Jandt of Mesa, AZ; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Beverly Lowe; and one brother-in-law, Seth Stoltz.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, 2011, at Grace United Methodist Church, in Greenwood. Rev. Mike Herdt officiated, and burial of cremains will take place in the Greenwood City Cemetery at a later date.  Visitation was held at the church, Friday from noon until time of service.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com

Cuddie Funeral Home of Greenwood assisted the family with arrangements.