John "Bud" Denten Hanson, Jr.

John D. “Bud” Hanson, Jr. – age 62 – passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 25, 2015, at St. Marys Hospital with family by his side.

Bud was born on August 17, 1953, at Scott AFB, Illinois, to John Denten and Vera Audrey (“Jack” and “Audrey”) Hanson. He attended elementary and junior high schools in California, Guam, and Utah before his father retired from the Air Force and the family settled in Chatfield, Minnesota. He graduated from Chatfield High School in 1971.

Bud farmed with his family after high school, and then joined the Navy. He first served on the USS Oak Ridge and was stationed in Rota, Spain. While in Spain, he bought a motor scooter and spent days off exploring Europe – where he fell in love with the feeling of “the wind in his hair and the bugs in his teeth.” From the Oak Ridge, he was transferred to the supercarrier the USS Nimitz. After his active enlistment, Bud remained in the Navy Reserve for a period of time.

On February 25, 1978, he married his soul mate, Susan Earleen Trapp. They loved traveling by car and motorcycle, riding their horses, and raising their two beautiful daughters on their farm near Chatfield. Family and friends were always the center of their lives. They enjoyed hosting holidays and card parties, and their lives were filled with adventure and laughter.

Bud will be remembered by all for his loving nature, his determination and his sense of humor. As a member of the Masonic Lodge and as a Shriner, he shared his talents to support charities such as the Shriners Hospital. Though he experienced many health problems, he always accepted the challenges – changing careers from electrician to welder to building utilities mechanic to accountant as he adapted to his physical limitations. Of all the jobs he had through his life, though, his very favorite was being Grandpa. His grandchildren brought him great happiness and always brightened his day.

Bud is survived by his wife Susan and his two daughters – Amanda (Joe) Uhler and Nancy Hanson – both of Rochester, his parents John and Vera of Chatfield, his brother Donald (Lydia) Hanson of Chatfield and sister Karen (Lester) Trapp of Claremont, and his grandchildren Sakura and John Rene’ as well as many friends and extended family. He was preceded in death by his brother Dennis Hanson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, August 31, 2015, at Riley Funeral Home in Chatfield. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. A Masonic service will be held at 9:30 AM. A committal service will follow at the Orion Center Cemetery.