Howard Hanson of rural Trail, MN passed away on Saturday, August 8, 2026, surrounded by his loving family at McIntosh Senior Living in McIntosh, MN.
Funeral for Howard will be held 3:00 PM on Friday, August 14, 2026 at Nazareth Lutheran Church rural Trail, MN with Reverend Peter Estrem officiating. Burial will be held at Nazareth Church Cemetery near Trail, MN.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.
Howard Keith Hanson was born on July 7, 1943 in Thief River Falls, MN son of the late Harry and Nora (Howard) Hanson. He was baptized and confirmed at Nazareth Lutheran Church near Trail, MN. He attended rural Tasa School, the Crookston Agricultural School and graduated from Oklee High School in 1962.
On February 15, 1964 he was united in marriage to Linda Watne at Nazareth Lutheran Church near Trail, MN. To this union four children were born Wendy, Joanne, Dean and Luane. Howard worked at the missile silos as a steel worker and also in the mines on the iron range before transferring to Boeing in Seattle, WA where he ran cargo winch loading ammunitions for the Vietnam war. He and Linda returned to the Hanson farm where he partnered with his father in 1973. He eventually took over the farm in the mid 1970’s where him and his father worked side by side. In the early 90’s Howard went to Montana and purchased his first red angus bulls and had been raising red angus ever since. Through the 90’s up to 2012 he did custom livestock, hay, and machinery hauling. Retiring from custom hauling due to health reasons.
Howard truly enjoyed the farm life and being a resident of Hickory Township. He was proud to have watched his son and family continue to operate the family farm. He was a member of the Nazareth Lutheran Church serving on many committees and offices. His strong faith and gentle nature was known by many. He enjoyed raising cattle and was a diehard FORD man. He enjoyed traveling, going to country music concerts, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was a member of the Stockman Association, the Eagles and served on the Gully Coop board for many years.
He is survived by his wife Linda; children Joanne Olson of Thief River Falls, MN and Dean (Naomi) Hanson of Trail, MN; grandchildren Ariel Berry, Austin (Sonny) Thrane. Wyatt (Kayla) Olson, Tyler Hanson, Faith Hanson, Clancy Hanson, Carter Hanson, Tucker Hanson, Gracie Hanson and Noelle Hanson; great-grandchildren Harper Walseth, Maddy and Aspen Olson, Aurora and Soren Dinwiddie; son-in-law Jeff (Amanda) Thrane; brothers-in-law Lonnie Watne and Lowell (Sherrlene) Watne. Along with cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Howard is preceded in death by his parents Harry and Nora; daughter Wendy and son Luane; brothers-in-law Larry Watne and Lyle Watne.