- 86 years old
- Date of birth: Feb 19, 1925
- Place of birth:
Minot, North Dakota, United States - Date of passing: Jan 19, 2012
- Place of passing:
St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
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Our family would like to thank all of you who have visited this site, and those who have contributed to it. We thank all who attended the memorial service and all who have shared in our lives, our loss, and our memories of our beloved. |  |
This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Selmer Eugene Hanson.
Born on February 19, 1925 in Minot North Dakota, to Eugene and Sena Hanson. He was the 6th of 8 children.
He was preceded in death by his siblings, Justin, Harold, Eunice, Marion, Helen and Bernard, son David, and grand-daughter Grace.
He is survived by his wife Doris, sister Ardys (Gilbert), children Cheryl, Douglas (Linda), Dennis (Jan), Thomas (Carol), Gregory (Sandy), and Bette, 13 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Selmer was orphaned at the age of 6, and was taken in by his great-uncle Tom Beaverson and family. He later went to live with his sister Ardys at the home of Henry and Selma Bartz. He graduated from Downing High School in 1942.
He joined the Army Air Corps in 1943, and was a turret gunner in the B-24 bomber, and flew more than 50 missions over Europe during the latter part of WWII. He was stationed in North Africa and Italy, and was awarded 5 Oak Clusters.
After his military service, he attended Chicago School of Science & Technolgy in Chicago Illinois, and earned an Associates degree in Electronics.
He met Doris Sirotiak from Boyceville, WI at a dance in 1948. They were married in 1952, in Stillwater, MN.
He was hired by Honeywell Corp in 1950, where he worked until he retired in 1985.
Selmer & Doris made a home in Shoreview, MN where they raised seven children. Son David passed away at the age of 2 years, in 1958.
During his early family days he was involved in the Civil Defense Corps and the church softball team. Later he was heavily involved in boy scouts, where he served as a district leader, and enjoyed many of the activities. He was a little league baseball coach for several years and was involved with the PTA at Turtle Lake Elementary School. He spent many hours driving his children to many sporting events, and was a great fan.
Hobbies included: gardening, wood working, rope making, canoeing, camping, home remodeling, and small engine repair.
Selmer retired in 1985 and moved with his wife to Downing, Wi in 1985 where they built an earth sheltered home. During retirement he enjoyed golfing, bowling, wood working, tapping Maple trees for syrup, darts, and helping his children with home repairs.
He was known for his outgoing personality, funny stories, and his love of the annual Hanson family reunion every August.
He began the "long goodbye" when he started to exhibit the effects of Alzheimer's disease around the turn of the century. Selmer was cared for by his loving wife, and spent the last year of his life at St. Anthony Park Home, where he received compassionate and excellent care. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on January 19, 2012.
We'd love to hear your fond remembrances and favorite stories of Selmer.
"What a beautiful tribune to a wonderful person. My parents, Hubert & Lucille LLoyd and I spent many family get-togethers with Bob & Lorraine Trulen. We had many visits with Doris & Selmer and the family at these visits. He was such a wonderful man and will be greatly missed. Thank You for sharing his life story with me. May you find comfort in the beauitful and lasting memories of Selmer."
"My fondest memories of Uncle Selmer were formed in my childhood during the great Sunday dinners and family get-togethers at Grandma and Grandpa Sirotiak's. I vividly remember to this day sitting in the living room and listing to Uncles Selmer, Bob T., Bob P., Grandpa Sirotiak and my dad talk about the "old days". I dearly miss those days and those that have gone to Heaven before us."
"I remember when I was a kid and we all got together at Grandpa and Grandma's house in the summer or over the holidays. The house (and yard) were filled with Uncles, Aunts, and cousins. There was always lots of food, laughter, and love. I remember Uncle Selmer's special sense of humor. I will miss him. Janell"
"I am only one of Uncle Selmer's "favorite nieces" - but I always felt so loved by him with one of his hugs and a kiss on the cheek! Memories of my childhood included SO many things - like pushing on the mole on his forehead and he would say "ZAP!" I will miss him SO much but know we will see him again in heaven and he is at peace now with God."
"Selmer has been a sweet caring father, fatherinlaw, and grandfather. Very supportive and loving through the years. It was difficult to see him fight through this illness for many years. Even though he lost his memory these past years, his personality would still come through with a funny Selmer gesture or reach out and gently hold your face with his big hands. We will enjoy the memories!"
"We first met Selmer and Doris in 1988 when their son Greg propossed to our daughter Sandy. It has been a blessing to meet the family through the years, and share Grandchildren with Selmer and Doris. Selmer was an expert woodworker and made us 3 beautiful oak benches to match a table. Our memories are sweet. See you in heaven Selmer. Bob and Karan Boddy"
"I will always be grateful to Selmer and Doris for welcoming me to their home when I first moved to the Twin Cities after college. I have fond memories of wonderful meals in the spacious back yard, watching Greg play hockey, helping Cheri keep her brothers in line, etc. Uncle Selmer was one of a kind and he has been missed.."
"Thanks for putting up this website. Selmer was such a wonderful man to so many people and also "stole the hearts" of many too; including mine. I am very sad now, but will be smiling whenever I think of him. Because I could never help but smile whenever I saw him, cause of his funny stories and how he enjoyed teasing me; which always made me smile/laugh. I will miss him. Darlene"
"Selmer will always have a place in my heart as a dear older friend that I learned a lot from. His faith and love for his wife Doris and his family and friends is something we all need. He was also one of my dad's dear friends having grown up together. His loss will hurt for awhile but we can rest assured that he is in a better place where he will someday greet us with open arms."
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