Alfred Hanson, 89, died on Friday, April 18, 2008 at MeritCare Hospital, Northwest Campus, Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm, Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Gary Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be 5-8 on Monday at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Tuesday.

Alfred G. Hanson was born on January 8, 1919 in Star Township, Pennington County, MN to Gilbert and Julia (Kriel) Hanson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. He attended country school in rural Pennington County, District 67.

Alfred served his country in the US Army attached to the signal corp from 1941 to 1945. He served overseas duties in Panama.

Alfred was united in marriage to Alvina Mildred Arveson on June 16, 1946 at Nazareth Lutheran Church in rural Trail, MN. They made their home in Thief River Falls, MN where Alfred worked for Midland Consumers Coop. He managed service stations in Middle River, Hayfield, and Warren, MN and the propane plant in Thief River Falls retiring from Midland Cooperatives after 27 years. After retirement, he and Alvina were caretakers at Skylight Apartments. Al also worked for the Pennington County Fair Board, the cardtrol Middle River Coop in Thief River Falls, and farmed for Bill Ness for a few years. He also worked with his daughter Pam in the Auction 2 Sell business for a long time.

Al enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He was an avid wine maker. He rarely missed a school event of his grandchildren. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and served on various boards, the Lions, VFW and Legion, Golden Pioneers, and a lifetime member of the Deer Hunters Association. Spending time with friends and family brought Al joy. He was always ready to help anyone. He was a handyman who shared his talents with many people.

Alfred is survived by his wife of 62 years Alvina, Thief River Falls, MN, 2 daughters, Pam (Allan) Cwikla, Thief River Falls, MN, Beverly (Wayne) Torgerson, Warren, MN, 5 grandchildren, Errin (Lynnae) Kolden, Green Bay, WI, Jerod (Meg) Kolden, Thief River Falls, MN, Kaia (Will) Sappington, Seattle, WA, Megan (Chris) Vitko, St. Paul, MN, Kaitlin Torgerson, Seattle, WA, 3 great grandchildren, Bailee and Matthew Kolden, Evangeline Sappington, 1 brother Gunder (Kitty) Hanson, Detroit Lakes, MN, sister in law, Luella Arveson, Thief River Falls, MN, brother in law Lloyd (Mae) Arverson, International Falls, MN. Alfred is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, Alma Brown, Mildred Arveson, 3 brothers, Herman, Goodwin, and Norman Hanson.

Family condolences may be sent to www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

SOLOIST: Diane Johnson, Borning Cry Precious Lord, Take My Hand
SOLOIST: Vanessa Martell, The Lords Prayer
SOLOIST: Megan Vitko, Amazing Grace accompanied by Will Sappington
ORGANIST: Phyllis Dalager
READER: Jerod Kolden
READER: Kaia Sappington
READER: Kaitlin Torgerson
CROSSBEARER: Errin Kolden
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Children of the Heavenly Father, Lift High The Cross
CASKETBEARERS: Gary Hanson, Don Hanson, Roger Hanson, Tim Hanson, Gene Arveson, Loren Arveson
MILIATARY HONORS: American Legion Ecklund-Holmstrom Post #117, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2793