Allan Richard Hanson

Al Hanson, age 65, formerly of East Bethel, and previously of Columbia Heights, passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon, January 15th, at Fairview U of M Medical Center in the company of his beloved son Jason, after a few days of hospitalization.  His big heart (literally and figuratively) needed to rest, after a wearing, many-year battle with interstitial lung disease, which led to severe pulmonary hypertension and kidney disease.  Despite his challenging illness, Al persevered with chin-up, maintaining his jovial (and sometimes excessively boisterous) nature as much as possible with all whom he encountered. 

Al was preceded in death by his long-missed brother, Gary Hanson, as well as his father, Dale Hanson, and mother, Margaret (Peg Hanson) Mumbleau and her husband Howie Mumbleau.  Al is survived by one son, Jason Hanson (along with Jason's fiance, Krista Maehling, and Jason's mom, Gail Kalata), beloved siblings Ray (Sue) Hanson, Elaine (Warren) Kampa, Dave (Renee) Hanson, Ron (Kathy) Hanson, Chuck (Pam) Hanson, Colleen (Mike) Arford, sister-in-law Candy (Dale) Branchaud, and step-sibling Dick (Jane) Mumbleau -- along with many cherished nieces, nephews and an enormous number of friends.  Unfortunately, Al's illness kept him from interfacing directly with so many of the people he loved in recent years, with him needing to remain close to his home-oxygen equipment.

Big Al (also known as Melvin, or Mel, to his closest friends and family) attended Oakwood Elementary, Columbia Junior High, and then graduated from Columbia Heights High School in 1977.  Due to his stature, he was a wrestler -- and talented offensive tackle on the football team.  Throughout high school, Al worked for Northwest Automatic Products in the evenings, relying on his '66 banana-yellow Chevy pickup for transportation.  Thereafter, Al was a lead person (and union steward) with Munsingwear for 12 years, in its NE Minneapolis warehouse.  He and Gail married in 1979, brought Jason into the world, but then parted ways in 1994.  After earning his Associate Degree at Anoka Technical College and fulfilling internships at Interlachen Country Club (1991-1993), Al began a long career as Superintendent with Viking Meadows Golf Club from 1993 through 2011 (with Jason working there at times as well.)  In his remaining years, before his illness disabled him entirely, he was an Assembler with Covidien (a division of Medtronic). 

While being an enthusiast of all Minnesota sports, Al was a hockey fan in particular -- attending many MN Fighting Saints games early on, as well as holding season tickets for men's Gopher hockey.  Al was also an avid hunter (pheasant, grouse, duck, geese, deer) and fisherman, especially in his younger years -- even loading his own shotgun shells.  Poker games hosted by Al at the Hanson household's kitchen table on 43rd & Madison Street were a staple on Friday and Saturday nights during high school and beyond -- with many a Tasty Pizza being delivered there.  Al also made the heated Hanson garage available to all of his friends, not only as a general hang-out, but for car repairs and the installation of everyone's car stereo systems.  He also took up golf, and, with his later work at Viking Meadows, Al traveled to many Golf Association conventions and events annually.  After being exposed to the hobby by childhood neighbor, Calvin Barott and father-in-law John Kalata, Al assembled his own loft of championship birds while living in East Bethel, and was heavily involved for many years with the Minneapolis Racing Pigeon Club, based out of a hangar at the Blaine airport.  In general, Al loved animals and was a pet-parent to many well-loved large hunting dogs, small house dogs, many cats over the years -- and even horses; he often yearned for the company of a cat on his lap in his final couple of years, and he appreciated Krista bringing her cats to his and Jason's home for visits.  

Al will always be remembered for being a generous person with his time to anyone who needed help, as well as for his joking and poking personality, his big smile, and his hearty stout laugh.  And, he gave the best teddy-bear hugs in the world to anyone and everyone.  It is a gross understatement to say that Al will be missed and that he left this world too soon.  At the same time, we are thankful that his continuous struggle with his lung and heart conditions has ended, and that he can finally rest without having to fight for bits of normalcy on a daily basis.  We also thank his heart and lung specialists at U of M Fairview Physicians for their excellent care.

A celebration of Al's life will be held on Sunday, February 4th, 2024 at Broadway Pizza in Blaine (lower-level banquet room, 11822 Aberdeen St. N.E., Blaine, MN 55449) from 2:00 - 6:00 pm.  Food will be provided, and a cash bar will be available.  While all are free to share thoughts and stories at any time during the open-house format, a remembrance program is scheduled for approximately 3:15 pm.  Memorial gifts may be directed to son, Jason Hanson, to assist with arrangement expenses (in person at the celebration, via Venmo @jason-hanson-43, or through US Mail c/o Miller Funeral Home in Fridley.)