Chester Albert Hanson

Chester Albert Hanson, son of Chris and Addie (Hart) Hanson, was born September 9, 1914, on his father’s farm east of Randall, Kansas, and passed away on March 16, 2007, at the Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems, Beloit, Kansas, at the age of 92 years.

Chet lived the majority of his life in Jewell County, Kansas. His childhood was spent around Randall, Kansas, and he graduated from Randall High School. Chet’s high school basketball team, on which he played guard or post position, won the State championship and he received a scholarship offer to Kansas State University. Chet forfeited the scholarship for his love of farming.

On January 21, 1941, Chet was united in marriage to Neita A McElroy where they started their first eight years of marriage on a farm southwest of Formoso, Kansas. To this union, three daughters were born: Vergaline Adelle, Oalga Tehl, and Lonzy May. In 1949, they moved to their farm southwest of Mankato, Kansas, where they lived for forty years. During this time he worked with his dairy cattle, chicken operation, and farmed his land as well as several acres of leased land. His green thumb also showed up in their large garden plot every year. Chet and Neita received the most enjoyment from family and friends with their door always open to all. After Neita’s death in1988, Chet remained on the farm.

Chet continued to farm his land southwest of Mankato until 1999, when he was 85 years old and he leased the farm.

Chet had many farmer friends from his 25 years with the Agricultural Soil Conservation Services. He enjoyed the young children when he visited the farms to inspect the grain contracted to the government.

Chet was very active in the Limestone Township Board as a treasurer for many years until he moved into Mankato in 1989.

He enjoyed traveling, mostly by car, throughout the United States and Canada, as well as overseas and Hawaii. His love for fishing was with him right down to the last few days in the hospital. Another pastime for Chet was playing cards, which he loved very much. He would let you know about the ladies at Assisted Living wanting him to play with them for more competition.

He was a Mason in the Masonic Lodge in Formoso, Kansas, until the lodge was disbanded in the late 1950’s. Chet had also been a member of the Farm Bureau Board and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles.

Chet was baptized into the Vicksburg Baptist Church in Randall, Kansas.

On December 30, 1989, Chester married Virginia Lange and moved into Mankato. To this marriage he had the pleasure of adding two stepchildren, Joyce and husband, Jerry David and Russell and wife, Pat Lange along with three stepgrandchildren and three stepgreat-grandchildren.

After the death of Virginia in 2005, Chester moved to Hilltop Assisted Living, Beloit, Kansas, where he enjoyed his small apartment which overlooked a small pond, the Beloit airport, and the Solomon River Valley farmland.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife - Neita, and wife – Virginia; one brother, Arthur Floyd Hanson; one brother-in-law, Alfred Lauritzen; and one son-in-law, Randall Lee Brooks.

Survivors include his daughters – Vergaline and husband, Walter Holdren of Mankato, Kansas, Oalga Tehl and husband, George Bighia, and Lonzy Garman and friend, Dallas Hofmeister, all of Omaha, Nebraska; stepdaughter, Joyce and husband, Jerry David of Bullard, Texas; stepson, Russell and wife, Pat Lange of Valley Center, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Rebecca Holdren of Salina, Kansas, Roxanne and husband, Todd Kimminau of Beloit, Kansas, Crystal and husband, Blake Vacura of Omaha, Nebraska, Danyelle and husband Cody Murray of Mankato, Kansas, Brock and wife, Julie Garman, of Omaha, Nebraska, Denise E. Bighia of Omaha, Nebraska, George A. Bighia of San Diego, California; three stepgrandchildren – Nathan and wife, Shelly Lange, Levi Lange, and Jessica and husband James Shurts all of the Wichita, Kansas area; eleven great-grandchildren – Elliot Kimminau, TeJay Kimminau, Garrett Kimminau, Brandon Broeckelman, Bianca Broeckelman, Bayleigh Broeckelman, Ashley Vacura, Zachary Vacura, Jacqueline Holdren, Claire Garman, and Rachel Newberry. Other survivors are two brothers – Eugene and wife, Elva Hanson of Courtland, Kansas, and Raymond, and wife, Freda Lou Hanson of Schuyler, Nebraska; one sister, Rachel Lauritzen of Courtland, Kansas; and many nieces; nephews; other relatives and a host of friends.

Chester Albert Hanson’s life was celebrated at the Harmony United Methodist Church, Mankato, Kansas, at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 20, 2007, with Pastor Laura Fricker officiating. Music was provided by Mrs. Pat Grout, organist, and Philip Menhusen , vocalist. Casket bearers were: Dale Freeman, Max Freeman, Bob Freeman, Jason Eilert, Fred Eilert, and Paul Wilson. Honorary casket bearers were: Rex Freeman, Burt Warne, Dean Buster, Donald Siemon, Jerry Murray, and Jim Freeman. Interment was in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato, Kansas. The family suggests memorials to Golden Years Club of Mankato, Kansas. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of arrangements.

In memory of our beloved grandpa:

Grandpa’s Gone to Heaven

One quiet day the angels came
And took grandpa far away
But in the stillness of the night
I could almost hear him say

‘Dear grandchild, I will miss you
You mean so much to me
But Jesus called me to His side
In Heaven I will be

A place of God’s Great beauty
No tears or earthly cares
Only peace and joy forever
And love beyond compare

So remember all the good times
Don’t think about the sad
Treasure all the special moments
Through the years we’ve always had

And if you trust in Jesus
I can promise this and more
You will get a hug from grandpa
Someday on Heaven’s golden shore’

[unknown]