Donald A. Hanson

Donald Hanson, age 82, passed away at the University of MN Hospital surrounded by family on Friday, December 26, 2025.

Donald Arthur Hanson, son of Harold and Orella Hanson, was born on April 29th, 1943, in Red Wing, Minnesota. Donald was baptized and confirmed at Minneola Lutheran Church and attended grade school and high school in Zumbrota, graduating from Zumbrota High School in 1962. Donald went on to attend Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis to become a Senior Project Manager and continued to take classes in various community colleges in Dallas, Texas. He went on to teach construction classes in Texas. Donald was also a member of the National Guard during the Vietnam War serving in the Saigon Replacement Forces.

Donald met the love of his life, Sandra Van Guilder, at the Belle Creek Roller Rink in White Rock while on a hayride. They were married on September 11, 1965, at the Congregational Church in Cannon Falls and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year. Donald and Sandra shared a love that was never-ending, always supporting each other through many accomplishments and challenges throughout their marriage. They always faced their medical challenges together with a positive and optimistic outlook no matter how difficult they became.

Donald began his career first working as a carpenter and later was promoted to Foreman for Kraus Andersen in Dallas, Texas. He then went on to becoming Superintendent, Project Manager and lastly Senior Project Manager overseeing multi-million-dollar projects such as jails, courthouses, high rises, hospitals and a school in Virginia.

Donald and Sandra also shared a deep love for their boys, Christopher Jon Hanson and Randall Scott Hanson. Donald always enjoyed volunteering throughout his life with one of his greatest joys being his boys’ soccer coach for eleven seasons. During that time, he was awarded the title of Coach of the Year.

Having spent his entire work career in building, it was no surprise that one of Donald’s favorite hobbies was woodworking making furniture, picture frames, and pens to name a few. He also volunteered sharing his many talents with Seniors Helping Seniors in McKinney, Texas. At the same time, he served on his homeowner association Board of Directors in McKinney, Texas. More recently, Donald volunteered in the woodworking shop at Orchard Path where they have resided for the last few years.

Donald had a wide variety of hobbies including biking in the Hotter than Hell bike rides every August, even in the extreme 100+ degree heat. He was also a member of his company’s bike team. Donald also loved to run and compete in the White Rock marathon for several years in Dallas, Texas. Donald also loved kayaking/canoeing, hunting, fishing, archery, and traveling the world with Sandra to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Budapest to Amsterdam and Norway. Donald and Sandra were especially happy to travel to Norway for their 50th wedding anniversary with their son Randall and family to trace the Hanson family ancestry.

Donald is survived by his loving wife, Sandra, son Randall Hanson, daughter-in-law Carol, granddaughter Emily and step grandson Daniel, sister Sylvia Kidd, brothers Darold and Daniel; sisters-in-law Diane (Darold) Hanson, Heidi (Daniel) Hanson, and Patricia Van Guilder; and many other loving family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Orella Hanson; in-laws George and Jean Van Guilder; son Christopher Jon Hanson; brothers-in-law Larry and Mike Van Guilder, sisters-in-law JeanAnn (Van Guilder) Hommedahl and Anita (Van Guilder) Budenski.

The family asks that any memorials be donated in Donald’s memory to the American Cancer Society or favorite charity of choice.

Burial will be held on Friday, January 9th at 2:00 p.m. at Minneola Lutheran Church Cemetery, 13628 County 50 Blvd, Zumbrota, MN. Celebration of Life Service details to follow.