Si Hanson, 90, died on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at Mission Nursing Home in Mission Texas under the care of hospice.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. John Voelker officiating. Burial will follow in Silverton Cemetery, rural Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be from 5-8 PM, Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Wednesday.

Silas Gerhardt Hanson was born on August 30, 1918 to Syvert and Mabel (Berg) Hanson in Silverton Township, Pennington County, Thief River Falls, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at Silverton Church. He attended country school at the Elwell Country School to the 8th grade. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls in 1937. He dairy farmed with his Dad and brother, and they called it the Glenview Dairy. They delivered milk, cream, and eggs to area residents. In 1939 Si went to California and worked at Douglas Aircraft as a tool and die operator. He returned home to Minnesota during WWII and helped his Dad run the farm. In 1946, he purchased his Uncle Henrys land and started his own farm.

He met his future wife Marjorie Ofstedahl at the Crookston Winter Shows in February of 1946. During that winter show a snow storm came up and Si drove Marjorie home to Thief River Falls for work. They were married January 5, 1947 at Silverton Church in rural Thief River Falls. They lived all of their married life on the farm he had purchased. Si was a farmer and raised registered Hereford cattle. He grew certified registered seed. He was recognized as one of the pioneers of the sunflower seed industry. He served on numerous boards including: Silverton Township Board, Pennington County Fair Board, Silverton Church Council, Pennington County Township Officer, Midland Board, CF Industries, Land O Lakes, Bray Gentilly Insurance, Pennington County Soil Conservation, Minnesota Crop Improvement, Red River Valley Livestock Association. He was also a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Sons of Norway, Golden Pioneers, and the Rotary. He enjoyed being involved with 4-H for many years. He enjoyed curling, dancing, and deer hunting. He was proud of his Norwegian heritage and spoke the language. Marjorie and Si have wintered in Texas since 1969 in the McAllen-Mission area where they are associate members of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in McAllen. Marjorie and he operated The Shed in rural Pennington County specializing in antiques and primitives.

In his life as a farmer, he raised oats, barley, wheat, sunflowers, potatoes, corn, alfalfa, peas, flax, timothy, rye grass, and even a few eyebrows when Kermit Finstad and he went to the deer hunters ball in Fourtown.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marjorie, Thief River Falls, MN, 2 children: Ross (Jan) Hanson, Waconia, MN, Linnae (Mark) Enge, Thief River Falls, MN, 6 grandchildren, Berit (Emil) Framnes, Sleepy Hollow, NY, Courtney (fiance Adam Blount) Hanson, Waconia, MN, Mallory Hanson, Minneapolis, MN, Aaron (Allie) Enge, Thief River Falls, MN, Amy (Steve) Olson, Thief River Falls, MN, Casey Enge, Moorhead, MN, 6 great grandchildren: Hannah Enge, Nolan Enge, Abe Olson, Annie Olson, Ike Olson, Mathia Framnes.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 5 brothers Melbin, Oswald, and Milton (in childhood) Wilhelm, Martin Hanson, and sister Elfie Erickson.

SOLOIST: Vanessa Martell
SELECTIONS: What Wondrous Love Is This, On Eagles Wings
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Healer of Our Every Ill WOV #738, When Peace Like A River LBW #346, Precious Lord Take My Hand #731 Happy Trails,
ORGANIST: Phyllis Dalager
SCRIPTURE READER: Ross Hanson
EULOGY: Berit Framnes

SPECIAL PRAYER SERVICE: How Far Is Heaven by Kitty Wells, (Vanessa)
PRAYER SERVICE CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Soon and Very Soon
CASKETBEARERS: Grandchildren: Aaron Enge, Amy Olson, Casey Enge, Berit Framnes, Courtney Hanson, Mallory Hanson