James Gordon Hanson, age 86 of Waseca, died on Monday, September 20, 2021, at Lake Shore Inn in Waseca.
Born on January 2, 1935, in La Crosse, Wis., he was the son of Leonard and Stella (Ottum) Hanson. He graduated from Harmony High School in 1952 and went on to attend Luther College before enlisting in the U.S. Army. Following his honorable discharge, James continued his education at South Dakota State University where he received his pharmacy degree. He married Nancy Deckert on September 2, 1961.
James worked as a pharmacist in various towns in Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota before purchasing the family drug store in Harmony which they operated until 1983. They then moved to Rapid City, SD where he worked for over 20 years until retiring. In his retirement, James continued to work as a traveling pharmacist primarily for Indian Health Services. They eventually returned to Minnesota to be near family.
James enjoyed road trips, photography, and golfing. He was a member of Greenfield Lutheran Church in Harmony and the Waseca American Legion.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy of Waseca; three children, Gordon (Melissa) Hanson of Owatonna, Deborah Nelson of Waseca, and Christina (J Phillip Vogl) Jordan of Charleston, SC; three grandchildren, Erin, Rachel, and Jamie; and four great grandchildren, Addison, Weston, Jordan, and Magnus. He is also survived by siblings, David (Donna) Hanson of Hopkins, Julie Engen (Ralph) of Gig Harbor, Wash., and Mary (Mel) Sanborn of Faribault; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, John.
Private family services are being held. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery in Preston at a later date. dennisfuneralhomes.com