Dean Hanson of rural Starbuck passed away on August 5th, 2017, in Starbuck.  He most recently resided at Minnewaska Lutheran Home, when his treatment for leukemia and lymphoma required nursing home care.  At Dean's request, there will be no funeral.  A service in memory of Dean will be held at 2 pm on Friday, August 18th in the Commons of Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck.

Dean Sheldon Hanson was born to Vernon and Ann (Borg) Hanson in Glenwood, Minnesota, on October 31, 1958.  The family farm in Minnewaska Township provided woods, waters and fields for outdoor adventures with siblings and neighbors, and remained a touchstone his entire life. 

Dean was a ten year member of the Pleasant Hill 4-H Club.  At Glenwood High School he participated in a wide array of activities, most prominently cross-country, tennis and choir.  During his junior year his classmates voted him Best Mixer and he was selected to attend American Legion Boys State.

Dean was able to join his state championship 1975 GHS Cross Country team last October for induction into the Minnewaska Athletic Hall of Fame.

After graduating with honors from high school in 1977, he attended the University of Minnesota Morris.  He lived and worked in Portland, Oregon, Morris, Minneapolis, and the Glenwood-Starbuck area.

Dean was a gifted writer, and received several grants from the Lake Region Arts Council.  He loved time on the shore of Lake Superior, the open spaces of Pope County, and his dog Jackson. Through times good and bad or distances great, Dean remained connected to his family.  The home care he provided his mother, which allowed her to remain on the family farm until nursing home care was required, will always be appreciated by his family.

Dean was preceded in death by his mother Ann and his brother-in-law Dennis Gloege.  He is survived by his father Vernon; siblings Rose Meade, Harley (Patricia Dorn), Julie (Dan Goldman), and Ralph (Nina Battistini); nieces and nephews Willa Hanson (and sons Noah and Joey Bender), Adam Hanson, Glenna Goldman, Nicholas Gloege, Jeremy (Rachel) Cochran and Shelby Cochran; and cousins Alan (Julie) Borg and Liz Borg.

Memorials honoring Dean would be welcomed by the Lake Region Arts Council in Fergus Falls and the Pope County Humane Society.

 Service Information