Daniel David Hanson, 61, of Gilbert passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2024, of pancreatic cancer.  He was born on November 19, 1962, to David and Gwen Hanson of Gheen, MN.  He grew up there with his two brothers and two sisters on a family farm where they learned gardening, raising animals for food, working, firewood, and being self-sufficient.

                Dan attended Orr school until his graduation in 1981.  He attended the University of Wisconsin – Superior and earned a criminal justice degree.  While attending UWS he met Susan Kay Redlich of Osceola, WI.  They were married on August 30, 1986, and had two children, Mitchell and Nicole.

                Dan was hired as a police officer in Virginia, MN in 1987 and remained there until retirement with the rank of Lieutenant.  They bought their house in Lakeland Township in 1988 where they still reside.  He was Cub Scout leader (Biwabik Troop) and then assistant leader for the Boy Scouts (Aurora Troop) where he watched his son reach the rank of Eagle Scout.  He was a member of the Lakeland Fire Dept. as a firefighter and first responder.  He also belonged to the East Range Vintage Auto Club.

                When Dan was 15 years old he started working at the Rice River Dairy Farm in Angora.  He worked there for five summers milking cows, caring for young stock and got to operate almost every machine there.  While on the VPD he worked for a neighbor doing carpentry work for over 10 years.  After retirement he worked a few different jobs the last as a Behind-the-Wheel instructor.

                Dan is survived by his parents: David and Gwen Hanson of Gheen, MN; wife: Susan; children: Mitchell (Michaela) Hanson of Carlton, MN, and Nicole Hanson (Fiancé Seth Holmes) of Duluth, MN; brothers: Brad of Ontonagon, MI, and Neil of Gheen, MN; sisters: Bonnie (Mike) Magnuson of Coeur d’Alene, ID, and Carmen (Jeremy) Kilbride of International Falls, MN; grandsons: Ernest and Everett who is due to be born in late November.

                A Memorial Service will be held Friday, November 15, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Aurora.  Pastor Greg Anderson will be the officiant.  Private inurnment will be in the Willow Valley Cemetery in Gheen, MN.

                Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Virginia.  To express condolences online please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.