Mark Hanson

Mark Philip Hanson, 77, of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, passed away at his residence on July 8, 2026.

Celebration of life for Mark will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the Evangelical Free Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Pastor Kent Hudson officiating. Burial will be at Silverton Lutheran Cemetery, rural Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a prayer service at 6:00 PM at the Evangelical Free Church in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Thursday.

Mark was born on February 28, 1949, at St. Luke's Hospital in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, to Martin and Alice (Wold) Hanson. He grew up on the family farm and attended Washington Elementary School and Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, graduating in 1967. Following high school, he attended vocational technical school where he studied aviation mechanics and graduated in 1969.

Mark proudly served his country in the Air National Guard from 1969 to 1975, working as a civilian at the air base in Fargo ND. from 1970 to 1975.

In 1975, Mark continued the family farm operation, raising dairy cattle and crop farming in Thief River Falls. Each day he started early, enjoying what he did whether in the barn or on the tractor. Mark won many awards for his dairy farming. He never truly retired because he loved farm life so much. He also had a passion for serving his community, particularly through being on boards such as the Silverton township board, Land O’Lakes board, and Red Lake Electric Co-op board.

On November 29, 1969, Mark was united in marriage to Audrey Mae Johnson. They were blessed to raise a family of three boys and a girl on the farm. When grandkids came along, this brought another level of joy to his life. He loved to fish with them, make them giggle, show up at their events, and share a good Dairy Queen treat.

He began his relationship with the Lord as a young child and this relationship grew throughout his whole life. Mark and Audrey served the Lord together by Mark leading the Christanoes, which included taking them to the national conference at Princeton in 1976, and hosting some of them in their home for Bible Study. Later they hosted several adult small groups. Music was a great joy for Mark. He loved to sing duets with Audrey, sing in men’s quartets, lead the church in Sunday worship and later played bass on the worship team and other music groups.

Mark enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially fishing and hunting. He was known for "putzing" around the farm and shop. He enjoyed playing cards, particularly Rook, Hand & Foot, and Pinochle, and cherished the fellowship and friendly competition these games brought. He loved visiting with others and sharing a good laugh. In retirement he enjoyed the challenge of repurposing old John Deere cultivators.

Mark will be remembered for his quiet strength, dedication to family, unwavering work ethic, and willingness to help others. His personal relationship with the Lord, family, farming, the outdoors, and community touched many lives and will leave a lasting legacy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Alice Hanson and in-laws Arthur and Gladys Johnson, Carol and Glen Poppenhagen, Vern Matson (Carol’s second husband), Barbara Johnson, LaDawn Hanson, Harriet Johnson and Sharon Hvidsten.

Mark is survived by his beloved wife, Audrey Mae Hanson; along with his children: Ehren and Ester Hanson (Kade (Lydia), Anika and Kason), Seth and Angie Hanson (Sarah (Dominick) Jacobson, and Adam), Ingrid and Brent Barnstuble (Sage, Clare, and Alice), and Kjell and Kristy Hanson (Emily, Aveah, and Levi, Justin and Nathan Pengilly). His brother Gary and wife Sherril Hanson and his sister Grace and husband Kevin Meyer. Brothers in-law, Loren (Cecile) Johnson, Richard (Sharon) Johnson, Howard Hvidsten, and sister in-law Joyce (Wendell) Jorgenson, and many relatives and friends who will cherish his memory.

"Well done, good and faithful servant."