Rudy Darrel Hanson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Rudy Darrel Hanson, 75, passed away on Tuesday September 17 at Sanford Palliative Care in Fargo ND. He was born at Mercy Hospital in Valley City ND on August 28, 1944 to Russell and Mabel (Jacobson) Hanson. His parents ran a hardware store in Wimbledon until he finished the eighth grade and they moved to Valley City. Rudy graduated from VCHS in 1962 and VCSU in 1966 with a BS in Education. He earned his Master’s Degree from NDSU in 1971. He was a member of the VCSU 1965 conference golf championship team and in the Tau Sig Fraternity. Rudy married Sheryl Hermanson on July 20, 1968. He was very happy Sheryl made it 50 years with him! They were blessed with two sons, Ryan and Reed. Rudy retired after 36 years as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent in various communities including Sanborn, Finley, Oklee MN, Carrington, Newburg, Marion, Harvey, Lidgerwood, North Central of Barnes, and Hankinson. He also spent two years as a sales rep for Northern School supply in Fargo. Rudy provided leadership in forming school co-ops in both activity and academic programs. He was invited by various legislators on the Education Committee to speak on current school problems. Rudy was a guest speaker for the VCSU Honors Banquet, a state trained SJP and NCA evaluator, served on the V-500 Board of Directors and purchased multiple memberships in V-500 and Century Club. He was a member of the ND School Services Board of Directors. Rudy was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church, Valley City, a 50 year member of Eagles Aerie 2192 and Elks Lodge 995. He belonged to the Lions club in various communities with his last office being president of the Lidgerwood club. Rudy was the first golf coach for Marion High School after the Grand Rapids course was built and was also the coach at Lidgerwood. When he finished his basketball coaching years, he became a referee. He was the catcher on an amateur baseball team, loved to fish, hunt deer, geese and pheasants and golfed in many tournaments around the state. He was very proud to have been on Jim Adelson’s Hole-in-One television show. He was a big fan of everything VCSU and NDSU as well as a cranky Twins and Viking fan. He is survived by his wife Sheryl of Valley City and his sons, Ryan and wife Heidi of Devils Lake, ND, Reed and his wife Lori of Mandan, ND; grandchildren, Chris Hanson and Brady Hanson (fiancé Kati) all of Mandan, Parker Hanson and Gabby Hanson of Devils Lake, Carlie Raven of Devils Lake, Macy Raven of Fargo and great- granddaughter, Willow Raven of Devils Lake. Rudy is also survived by his brother Larry and his son Sheldon and family; mother –in-law Christine Hermanson; Goddaughter Carla Jensen and many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews on the Hermanson side, along with cousins on the Hanson and Jacobson side. He was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law Art Hermanson. If you remember nothing else about Rudy, he would want you to remember his famous words:DEFENSIVE DRIVING! Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City. An online guestbook is available at oliver-nathanchapel.com

Rudy Darrel Hanson

August 28, 1944 - September 17, 2019