Reuben I. Hanson, formerly of Appleton, died on Friday morning, October 2, 2015, at the Golden Living Center in Benson. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2015, at 2:00 p.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church in Benson. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Reuben Ingvald Hanson was born on December 5, 1933, in Hegbert Township Swift County, Minnesota, the son of Matt and Signe (Johnson) Hanson. He grew up on the family farm near Long Lake. He was baptized on January 21, 1934 at Long Lake Lutheran Church and confirmed there on July 18, 1948, by the Rev. William Peterson. He graduated from Appleton High School in 1952 and later he took refrigeration and higher Math classes at Southwest State in Marshall. He served his country in the United Sates Army and Army Reserve from 1957 to 1962 and was stationed in Louisiana. On November 27, 1960 Reuben was united in marriage to Sharon Lenore Stock at Zion Lutheran Church in Appleton by the Rev. Clifford Nelson. This union was blessed with one daughter and over 54 years of marriage. After his years in the service, they made their home in Marshall, Minnesota where he worked for Marshall Fruit from 1962 to 1973. In 1973 they moved back to Appleton where he partnered with his father-in-law Wilfred Stock and operated Wilfred's Red Owl, then became the owner of Reuben's Red Owl and later Hanson's Family Foods. As a grocer, Reuben was known for his friendly greetings, helping by delivering groceries and always going the extra step to help the stands at the County Fair. He retired from the grocery business in 1999 and remained working at several jobs including Watson Convenience Store, Veissman's Trucking, the Sugar Beet Pile, maintenance for Chandler, Shadowland Turkey Farm, and Agvise. They also lived in Benson for 12 years and then moved to Willmar. He belonged to the Appleton Businessmen and the Appleton Chamber of Commerce. Reuben was proud to be a strong part of his grandson's lives with Fishing, Carpentry, Boy Scouts, Hunting, etc. Hobbies he enjoyed include gardening, playing cards including Bridge and Whist, moving snow, and making the best scalloped potatoes. He was called from this life on Friday morning, October 2, 2015. He attained the age of 81 years, 10 months, and 25 days. Reuben is survived by his wife Sharon; his daughter Terri Marie Hanson Scott (Todd Rasmussen) of Benson; two grandsons: Eric Matthew Scott (Jennifer Weets) and Ethan Michael Scott (Libby Cable); four great-grandchildren: Gabrielle Weets, Madison Scott, Porter Weets, and Koen Scott; a sister Helen Hanson Zimmerman of Minneapolis; and a brother-in-law Ron Stock of Weed, California. He was preceded in death by his parents Matt and Signe Hanson; brothers Sigvald (Alice) and Harold (Eunice); a brother-in-law Marvin Zimmerman; a nephew Wendell Hanson; and a sister-in-law Dianne (Loren) Johnson.
