Hjalmer Benjamin Hanson was born on April 23, 1929, near Murdock, Minnesota, the son of Benny H. and Della K. (Johnson) Hanson. Hjalmer passed peacefully from this life to his "new life" with the Lord on Saturday, July 18, 2009, with his children, several grandchildren and great grandchildren by his side. Hjalmer attained the age of 80 years, 2 months and 25 days. He was baptized and confirmed by Pastor Berg at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Benson. He grew up in the Murdock area and attended Pope County School District #34, where he received a diploma from the eighth grade. Hjalmer served his county in the Army, as a radio operator, during the Korean Conflict from 1948 ? 1952. When he returned, he met and fell in love with Arlene June Pangrac. On November 3, 1952, they were united in marriage at Big Stone City, SD with Selmer and Louise Lansverk as their witnesses. Together Hjalmer and Arlene had six children and shared 57 years of marriage. Hjalmer and Arlene lived with their children for many years outside of Benson. In 1975, they moved to a small acreage north of DeGraff. Hjalmer worked with his father-in-law, John and brother-in-law Orlen, on numerous construction jobs in the area including the hospital in Granite Falls, before getting a job with Great Northern Railroad, which is now Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, where he was employed for 37 years. Hjalmer was a member of Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Benson for many years, and the Bethesda Lutheran church near Murdock. "Sonny"/"Benny" liked to fish, hunt (with his trusty dog Suzie), cook listen to polkas and waltzes, and spend time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Hjalmer loved the wildlife.... You could see him nursing small wild animals back to health or setting free a small spider or moth. Hjalmer was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #1403 of Benson. Hjalmer is survived by his wife Arlene of DeGraff; Cheralyn Hanson of Luverne, twins ? Jean Skoglund and Jerome Hanson of Aubrey, TX, Gregory (Toni) Hanson of Aubrey, TX, Mark (Laurie) Hanson and Dale (Theresa) Hanson of Benson; a brother, Rodney Hanson of San Angelo, TX; a sister, Lorraine "Toodles" Wrobleski of Benson; sister-in-law, Luanne Peterson of Montevideo; brother-in-law Orlen (LaVonne) Pangrac of Benson; 17 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; Army friends Luis Romero and Harris Dethmers; as well as numerous relatives and friends. Hjalmer was preceded in death by his parents Della and Benny Hanson, father-in-law John and mother-in-law Frances Pangrac; two sister, Beverly (stillborn) and Maxine Hanson; sister-in-law Evelyn Hanson; two brothers-in-law Ronald Peterson and Alfred Wrobleski; son-in-law, Ray Skoglund; and others.
