Richard "Dick" Hanson

Richard E. “Dick” Hanson, 86, of Grand Island died Sunday, March 29, 2015 at CHI Health Saint Francis. Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church. Reverend Caroline Price-Gibson will officiate. Burial will be in Grand Island City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at All Faiths Funeral Home. Mr. Hanson was born November 16, 1928 in Jamestown, KS, to Frank and Ida (Andersen) Hanson. Those left to cherish his memory include three sons and daughters-in-law, Craig and Judy Hanson of Janesville, WI, Brad and Jan Hanson of Bartlett, IL, and Paul and Deb Hanson of Lee’s Summit, MO and a daughter and son-in-law, Christine and Ed Wright of Milwaukie, OR; brother, Dean Hanson and sister, Ann Hanson. Additional survivors include eight grandchildren, Becky (Matt), Kait, Eric, Michael (Maureen), Jared (Megan), Jeff, Teresa and Paige; and one great-grandchild, Kaiden. His beloved wife, Imogene “Imo” died the day after Dick, March 30, 2015. He was preceded in death by a sister, Fran Evans and sister-in-law, Dorothy Hanson. Dick received his education in the public schools of Concordia, KS. He then went to Kansas State University, where he graduated in 1955 with a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Engineering. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho social fraternity, Steel Ring honorary society, Sigma Tau Scholastic honorary society, Cadet Colonel in the Air Force ROTC, and was on the varsity track team. He was united in marriage to Imogene Davis on January 29, 1950. They lived in Manhattan, KS, where Dick worked for KSU for five years doing research in irrigation. In 1956, the couple moved to Peoria, IL, where Dick worked for the Nelson Family in all phases of irrigation equipment which included vice president of engineering, developing new products, and marketing turf and agricultural sprinkler and irrigation equipment. His career with Nelson spanned 47 years. Initial irrigation products were the Big Gun for traveling sprinklers and end guns for center pivots. The success of these products launched a division to develop and market all types of agricultural sprinklers. Most successful were those being used on center pivots. Nelson Irrigation was moved to Walla Walla, WA and in 1975 Dick elected to move to Grand Island to establish further product ideas and market Nelson products to manufacturers and dealers. Dick’s father died when Dick was in 2nd grade so he had no role model. But despite this he was a wonderful husband, Dad, and Papa. He was always fair, honest, generous and non-judgmental, not only with his family, but with all who knew him. He instilled love, respect and work ethics in his children, which makes them the special people they are today. Dick’s first love was his family, for whom he planned many family get-togethers, including an Alaska Cruise for the whole family. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and played a competitive game of tennis until age 76. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. www.alz.org.

Richard "Dick" Hanson

November 16, 1928 - March 29, 2015

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Richard "Dick" Hanson

November 16, 1928 - March 29, 2015

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

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