Dallas I Hanson

Dallas I. Hanson, age 69, of Big Stone City, died Monday, May 4, 2015, following a courageous battle.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 8, at First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN with Rev. David Tonn officiating.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at First English Lutheran Church and will continue for one hour prior to the time of service at the church on Friday.
Burial will be at Mound Cemetery in Ortonville with full military honors being conducted by the VFW Big Stone Lake Post #3964, the American Legion Gertje Van Lith Post #229, and the V.V.A. Northeast SD Chapter #1054.

Casket bearers will be Mark Ronglien, Jeff Klages, Randy Mclain, Ryan Rademacher, Jim Aesoph and Gary Johnson. Honorary bearers include the Ortonville Fire Department and the employees of Dallas I. Hanson Construction, Inc.

Dallas I. Hanson was born on March 26, 1946, in Minot, ND, to Irvin G. and Luella Theresa (Larson) Hanson. He was baptized on May 18, 1946, in Heartland, ND at Zion Lutheran Church, where he was also later confirmed. He attended primary school in Heartland and graduated from high school in Carpio, ND.

While attending the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND, he spent several summers as a custom combiner for Al and Betty Kaufman; they combined in North and South Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. He graduated in 1967 with a degree in Architectural Drafting and Estimating Technology. On October 10, 1967, he enlisted as a Seabee in the United States Navy and served two tours in Vietnam. The Seabees built roads, bridges, and support facilities while fighting alongside Marines. They also built schools, hospitals, and utility systems in the Vietnamese villages for humanitarian support. He was extremely proud of his service and lived his life by the Seabee motto, “The difficult we do immediately, the impossible just takes a little longer … Can Do!” During his service, he earned numerous medals including the Combat Action Ribbon. On December 18, 1969, after serving for two years, two months, and nine days, Dallas was honorably discharged.

Dallas met Marilyn Mueller at the Ortonville Red Owl grocery store where she was employed. They later married on August 7, 1971, in Odessa, MN. To this union, two sons were born; Mark and Brad. Dallas loved bringing his sons to job sites, taking road trips, and simply spending time together as a family. He enjoyed the outdoors and taking family camping trips; however, he would be the first to admit he preferred the comfort of a “camper.” Dallas and Brad spent many hours on the road together traveling to job sites, discussing construction projects, and machinery. With Mark, Dallas shared a passion for flying which culminated in a flight together from Minnesota to California in a small airplane. Lastly, Dallas’ most loyal business partner and confidant was Joe, his golden retriever. His faithful sidekick went everywhere, even to work, with him.

From a very young age, Dallas had a true passion for building and knew that construction was his calling. He worked construction all his life and was proud to own and operate Dallas I. Hanson Construction, Inc. for the past 29 years. Dallas leaves a legacy in the area communities with the many buildings he built and always enjoyed the “challenge” of a job that people said could not be done. He also served as a current board member and past President of the South Dakota Associated General Contractors (AGC).

Dallas was a member of First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville. He served on the Ortonville Fire Department for 41 years in various positions including Fire Chief. Dallas was also a part of the original EMT crew for the Ortonville Ambulance Service. He was a lifetime member of the VFW, American Legion, 40/8, Northeast SD Vietnam Veterans Watertown Chapter, Ducks Unlimited, Moose Lodge, Jaycees, and the past President and board member of the South Dakota Associated General Contractors.

Cherishing Dallas’ memory is his wife, Marilyn Hanson of Big Stone City; two sons, Mark (Alysia) Hanson of Arlington, VA, and Brad Hanson of St. Joseph, MN; grandchildren, William and Andrew; sister, Myrna Press of Mahtomedi, MN; niece and nephew, Kamille Haataja and Craig Perkins; and special cousins, Ken, Cindy, Bonnie, Becky, and Kathy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; older brother, Dennis; infant brother Darwin; and his aunt and uncle, Lynn and Arlene Stockdill, who he considered his second family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Big Stone Health Care Foundation or AGC of South Dakota Building Chapter are appreciated. – See more at: http://www.mundwilerfuneralhome.net/obituary/Dallas-I.-Hanson/Big-Stone-City-SD/1505456#sthash.IsfGLnJk.dpuf