John Frederick Hanson

John Fredrick Hanson, Jr., slipped away in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 9, 2021, at the age of 84. His wife, Margery (Counsell) and his daughter Jennifer (Hanson Meyer) were with him on the evening of October 8, and he declared, “I love you, and I love you” glancing at his wife and daughter in turn. Then he added, “I love everybody.” And that’s what we want everyone grieving his loss to know--he loved you.

John lived his life as a country boy. He always had at least one dog by his side. Much as he loved his family and close friends, he also loved disappearing into the woods or floating on a lake or casting bait along a river. Hunting and fishing meant food and adventure, but also communion with nature.

He graduated from Neillsville High School in 1955 and then enlisted in the Army to serve as a teletype repairman in France, near the battlefield where his Uncle Charles had died during World War 1. When he returned, he farmed with his parents and brother Earl until leaving to become a self-employed logger and eventually a welder for Nelson Muffler until his retirement.

He and Margery Counsell married on February 8, 1958. Their child, Jennifer Lynn, arrived on August 10, 1965. When Jennifer and Todd Meyer had daughter Madeleine in 1994, he was overjoyed to have another little girl to spoil and to show the woods and water.

He is appreciated for his love of small local adventures and his willingness to take friends and family members along.  Nieces and nephews might recount tales of exhilarating rides on his Harley Davidson motorcycle, rides in his Pug, swimming or boating at Arbutus or Snyders, drives to look for deer, tobogganing on the farm, bird watching, fishing, hunting, or berry picking.

John is survived by his wife Margery (Counsell), daughter Jennifer, son-in-law Todd Meyer, granddaughter Madeleine (Marco), beloved nieces and nephews--Carol (Steve) Hanson Sibley, Linda (James) Wetzel, Darrel (Janet) Abrahamson, Nancy (Al) Dooley, James (Anne) Frette, Larry Hanson, Shirley Gohde, Jane (Dennis) Marksteiner, Kevin (Mary) Lovvik, Karen (Don) Talleur, the exceptionally helpful Laura (John Klosterman) Christie, Tim (Sue) Christie, John (Robin) Christie and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ruth (LaRosh) and John F. Hanson, Sr., his siblings Earl (Ellen Jean), Charles (Phyllis), Alice (Everette) Abrahamson, Lois (Wendell) Frette, Florence, and Mary Lovvik, too many friends to list, an infant son and infant daughter, and his beloved nephew Paul Lovvik.

John chose to be cremated. A celebration of his life will be held at Gesche’s Funeral Home from 2-4 PM on Friday, October 22. Beginning at 3:30 p.m., during the visitation, friends and relatives are asked to share stories and memories.

Memorials may sent to the Clark County Humane Society https://www.cchs-petshelter.org/donate or the Alpha 1 Foundation:  https://www.alpha1.org/what-is-alpha1/

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting John’s family with Funeral arrangements.