John A. Hanson, 62, Wabasha

John A. Hanson, age 62, of Wabasha, died at his home surrounded by loving family on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 after a courageous two year battle with cancer. He was born January 22, 1953 in Wabasha, the son of Robert and Wilhelmina (Passe) Hanson. John was a 1971 graduate of Wabasha High School. He enlisted in the U. S. Army after graduation and served in Germany. He was discharged in 1973. John worked for the U. S. Postal Service from 1975 until retiring in 2014 because of ill health. He married Barbara Ireland October 11, 1975 at the United Church of Christ in Wabasha.
He was a member of the Bluffs at Coffee Mill Golf Course, Wabasha American Legion Post #50 and the DAV. He enjoyed golfing, reading and hunting, loved making Papa’s famous chocolate chip cookies for family and friends and spent countless hours playing cribbage with his family. John’s greatest joy was spending time with his family.
John is survived by his wife, Barbara Hanson, Wabasha, MN; daughters and sons-in-law, Jodi and Ben Barton, LaCrescent, MN, Kristi and Kevin Petersen, Theilman, MN, Lori Hanson (Dustin Petersen), Coon Rapids, MN; eight grandchildren, Brady and Riley, Dalton, Tucker and Spencer, Jaida, Ellie and Olivia; brothers and sisters-in-law, Donnie and Gayle Hanson, Hopkins, MN, Art and Mary Lynn Hanson, Wabasha, MN, Larry and Barb Hanson, Wabasha, MN, Bill Hanson, Kellogg, MN, Elaine Hanson, Wabasha, MN; sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Harold Emmons, Winona, MN; nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Wilhelmina Hanson, two grandsons, Wyatt and Danny Petersen, sister, Marlene Hanson and brother, Dick Hanson.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 11:00am at the United Church of Christ in Wabasha with the Reverend James Clausen officiating. Interment will be at St. Felix Cemetery. Military rites will be provided by the Wabasha American Legion and the Burkhardt-Roemer VFW Posts. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 4:00-8:00pm and at the church on Saturday one hour before the service. Memorials are preferred to the Wabasha Public Library. The Abbott Funeral Home of Wabasha is in charge of arrangements. www.abbottfh.com