Funeral services for Richard Hanson, 86, of Estherville, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 29, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Estherville with Pastor Jackie Ziemer officiating. Interment will be at Swan Lake Township Cemetery, Emmet County, with military honors by VFW Post 3388 and American Legion Post 91, both of Estherville. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m., Thursday, May 28 at the church.
Richard Lee Hanson, the eldest child of Laurence and Eldora (Hanson) Hanson, was born on a farm southeast of Gruver, Iowa on May 6, 1940. Soon the family moved to the farm south of Gruver where Dick and his four siblings grew up.
Richard was baptized and confirmed at the little country church south of Gruver (Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran). As he grew in his faith he sang in choir, attended Sunday School and eventually served in many church council offices.
Dick graduated from Gruver High School with the Class of 1958. Several of these classmates remained his closest friends for life.
In 1963, Dick enlisted in the US Army and always felt blessed that he spent his service working as a military police officer in Germany.
Returning to Iowa to farm, Dick met Karen Liebsch at a basketball game in Gruver on December 8, 1966. They were married on June 4, 1967, in Arlington, South Dakota.
Dick loved farming and worked closely with his brothers for 50 years. During those same years he built a successful seed business, selling for Sokota, Agripro, and Garst Seeds where he eventually became a territory sales manager. Over the years he won many sales awards.
Serving his community was important to Dick. He also served on the Lincoln Central School Board, was a farm representative on the Estherville Chamber and served 26 years on the ILEC Board of Directors. After joining Trinity Lutheran Church in Estherville, he sang in the choir and served on the council.
Camping, fishing with his father-in-law, golfing, winters in Texas, traveling, and most of all - teasing his grandchildren were ways he enjoyed his free time.
Dick spent the last six months of his life at the Ruthven Community Care Center where he passed into his new life on May 22, 2026, at the age of 86.
Dick is survived by his wife Karen Hanson of Estherville; his children Ted (Heather) Hanson of Eagle, ID; Heidi (Scott) Hunter of Scranton, IA; Kari (Jay) Batman of Milford, IA; Tony Hanson of Gruver, IA; his grandchildren Josh (Vikki) Hanson, Caleb (Lauren) Hanson, Faith (Cade) Smith, Sam Naberhaus, Matt Naberhaus, Addie Naberhaus, Jack (Brooke) Batman, Joe Batman, Gabe Batman, Ally Hanson, and Khloe Hanson; great grandsons Henry Hanson and Jack Hanson. He is also survived by his brother L. Steven (Karen) Hanson of Estherville; his brother-in-law Ron Cherland of Fairmont, MN; sister-in-law Judy Hanson of Estherville; brother and sister-in-law Kent (Judy) Liebsch of Arlington, SD; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters Marilyn (Roger) Holtey and Marcia Cherland; brother Kenny Hanson; in-laws Elvin and Audrey Liebsch.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.henryolsonfuneral.com.
