Obituary for Arden Hanson
Arden Hanson, age 89, formerly of Brooklyn Center, MN and Watertown, SD, passed away on March 20, 2023 at Waverly Gardens Care Center in North Oaks, MN.
Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00am, Thursday, May 18, 2023 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Graveside service will at New Hope Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hayti, SD.
Arden was named after his father, grandfather, and his mother’s first cousin, so he always said that he had a lot of family members to live up to. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1951, and then attended Western Union School in Indiana for eight weeks. His job title was “automatic operator “ which meant he could send and receive telegrams. He was then transferred to Fargo where he worked until resigning in 1952 to attend Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
In 1953, Arden was drafted into the Army where he was trained as a cook even though that was his last choice. “Just like the Army”, Arden used to always say. Upon his discharge in 1955, Arden returned to Augustana College graduating with an art major.
After graduation, Arden once again worked for Western Union before moving to California where he worked for Douglas Aircraft in their graphic arts department.
Due to unpredictable government contracts, Arden was laid off and not particularly enjoying life in California, decided on some major life changes. So in 1961, Arden traveled to Switzerland where he spent three months living with his sister Deloris and family. He enjoyed traveling around Europe either by himself or with his sister’s family. Pretty adventuresome for someone who only spoke English.
Arden returned to Minneapolis and began working at Process Displays, a silk screening company. In 1966, Arden changed jobs one last time working at Sears and Roebuck in their display department. This involved setting up various displays throughout a large department store for the different seasons, holidays, and sales. This allowed him to use his artistic talents and he really enjoyed his work there. Arden retired from Sears in 2002.
Arden’s hobbies included photography, travels, musical show tunes, and spending time with friends and his family in the Minneapolis and Watertown area. One of his favorite interests was antiquing. Arden and his sister Lucille would spend hours rummaging through various antique stores with an eye for a good bargain. Arden especially enjoyed artwork and collectibles from medieval Europe.
Arden is survived by many relatives who loved his subtle wit, teasing manner, and kindness.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Agnes M. and George E. Hanson of Watertown, South Dakota and sisters, Deloris M. (Hanson) Nelson, G. Arleen (Hanson) Larson, Lucille M. (Hanson) Clothier and infant sister, Joyce Y. Hanson.
Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00am, Thursday, May 18, 2023 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Graveside service will at New Hope Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hayti, SD.
Arden was named after his father, grandfather, and his mother’s first cousin, so he always said that he had a lot of family members to live up to. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1951, and then attended Western Union School in Indiana for eight weeks. His job title was “automatic operator “ which meant he could send and receive telegrams. He was then transferred to Fargo where he worked until resigning in 1952 to attend Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
In 1953, Arden was drafted into the Army where he was trained as a cook even though that was his last choice. “Just like the Army”, Arden used to always say. Upon his discharge in 1955, Arden returned to Augustana College graduating with an art major.
After graduation, Arden once again worked for Western Union before moving to California where he worked for Douglas Aircraft in their graphic arts department.
Due to unpredictable government contracts, Arden was laid off and not particularly enjoying life in California, decided on some major life changes. So in 1961, Arden traveled to Switzerland where he spent three months living with his sister Deloris and family. He enjoyed traveling around Europe either by himself or with his sister’s family. Pretty adventuresome for someone who only spoke English.
Arden returned to Minneapolis and began working at Process Displays, a silk screening company. In 1966, Arden changed jobs one last time working at Sears and Roebuck in their display department. This involved setting up various displays throughout a large department store for the different seasons, holidays, and sales. This allowed him to use his artistic talents and he really enjoyed his work there. Arden retired from Sears in 2002.
Arden’s hobbies included photography, travels, musical show tunes, and spending time with friends and his family in the Minneapolis and Watertown area. One of his favorite interests was antiquing. Arden and his sister Lucille would spend hours rummaging through various antique stores with an eye for a good bargain. Arden especially enjoyed artwork and collectibles from medieval Europe.
Arden is survived by many relatives who loved his subtle wit, teasing manner, and kindness.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Agnes M. and George E. Hanson of Watertown, South Dakota and sisters, Deloris M. (Hanson) Nelson, G. Arleen (Hanson) Larson, Lucille M. (Hanson) Clothier and infant sister, Joyce Y. Hanson.