Ralph Harding Hanson, age 88 of Buhl died Saturday, August 27, 2011 in the Virginia Regional Medical Center. He was born June 11, 1923 in Newfolden, MN the son of Hartvig and Tena (Anderson) Hanson, the sixth of thirteen children. Ralph left for San Diego, CA and worked for Consolidated Aircraft until joining the US Navy on April 13, 1943. He served in Asiatic-Pacific Theatre until 1946 when he returned home to begin farming. Ralph married Devonna Johnson on October 31, 1948 and they moved to Mt. Iron in 1955. Ralph worked as a structural Iron Worker for local # 563 and was one of the first certified welders in the state of Minnesota. He loved to hunt, fish, garden and continued to do some farming. Ralph was an accomplished musician playing the accordion, the keyboard, and the guitar.
Ralph is survived by his wife: Devonna; children: Judy Rae of West Eveleth and Ron (Pam) Hanson of Maple Grove; grandchildren: Robert (Rikki) Watson of Zim, MN, Gwen (Joe) Pavelich of Prior Lake, MN, Tasha (Phil) Peliska of Mt. Iron, MN, Andrew (Molly) Hanson of Maple Grove, Joel Hanson of Prior Lake, MN, and David Hanson of Maple Grove, MN; great-grandchildren: Haley, Hanna and Hunter Watson, Trevor Winger, Madison and Joey Pavelich; and Braden and Shaylin Peliska; brothers: Clarence, Earl, Benny, Floyd, and Alfred Hanson; sisters: Beulah Bjornrud and Clara Jacobsen; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, and a sister.
Private family services will be held.
Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share personal remembrances online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.