Stanley Hanson

Stanley Owen Hanson, 91, of Whitefish passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2020 at Whitefish Care and Rehab, from complications of cancer.

Stan was born on June 16,1929 in Leeds, North Dakota to Howard and Berny Gresdahl Hanson. The family moved to Eureka in the fall of 1937 and he attended schools in Eureka, graduating Lincoln County High School in 1948.

Stan went to work for the U.S. Forest Service and manned the Black Butte Lookout his first summer out of high school. He then went to work as a brakeman for the Great Northern Railroad.

He married Leola Frost on July 1, 1950. They had four children: Ronny, Susie, Carrie and Stanley James (Jimmy). Stan quit the Great Northern to stay home and be a family man shortly after Ronny was born. He started his career as a sawyer with a love for the woods and the greater Tobacco Valley, “God’s Country.” He was an expert sawyer who taught the skills to many and he was a jack-of-all-trades. He worked at cutting and selling Christmas trees, built three houses for his family and was an avid sportsman who loved to hunt and fish.

Fishing was his passion he shared with his kids, grandkids and great-grandchildren. When asked what his favorite toy was as a child, he responded with, “My first fishing pole.” Stan was an experienced elk hunter who bagged 30 elk in his lifetime, and achieved several Boone and Crockett awards. When he could no longer hunt, he took pride in giving his hunting trophies to his kids, grandkids and great-grandchildren. Stan was always at home in the woods where he felt the closest to his Creator. He endured a lot of tragedy and loss in his lifetime, but he always kept a positive outlook.

Stan is survived by his son Ronald (Carol) Hanson of Eureka; daughter Carrie Hanson of Whitefish; and son-in-law Mike Workman of Eureka. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Amy Hanson, Remi Workman, Andy (Julia) Hanson, Alisa Hanson; honorary grandchildren Jeremy, Haley, Breann and Logan; ten great-grandchildren: Easton, Hannah and Ally Sempf; Ashton and Danica Dierman; Caitlin, Megan, and Zoey Hanson; and Dylan and Jessie Wojcik; as well as one great-great-grandchild, Olive Rose. He is also survived by his brother Harvey Hanson of Whitefish and sisters-in-law: Evelyn O’ Boyle of Eugene, Oregon; Mary Handford and Sherry Frost of Kalispell; along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, including several cousins in Norway.

Stan was preceded in death by his wife Leola; daughter Susie Hanson Workman; son Stanley James; and granddaughter Jasmyn Hanson. Stan was also preceded in death by his younger brothers Warren and Ray Hanson.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8 at First Baptist Church in Eureka. Arrangements are under the care of Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Donations in Stan’s memory can be made to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Memorials and notes of condolence can be shared at https://www.buffalohillfh.com.