Mervel Hanson

Mervel J. Hanson , 82, of Silver Bay, died Monday Feb. 24, 2014 at Carefree Living in Silver Bay. He was born Sept. 5, 1931 to Harry and Anna Hanson in Willmar, Minn., where he grew up and attended schools.

Mervel served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in the Aleutian Islands during the Korean War. He moved to Silver Bay in 1954, where he was employed by the city of Silver Bay as superintendent of municipal utilities.

He was a member of Sychar Lutheran Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mervel was an avid golfer as long as his health allowed, and enjoyed feeding and watching animals in his backyard.

He is preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Lois in 1995; and second wife, Luella in 2005.

Mervel is survived by his wife, Jenny (Betzler Heinzen) Hanson; sons, Michael (Karen) of Roseville, Minn., and Robert (Maria) of New Prague, Minn.; daughters, Denise (Edward) Dumas of Minneapolis, and Debra (Robert) Smoger of Hermantown; step-children, Gina (Jim Hoberg) Heinzen of Silver Bay, Teresa Judkins of Silver Bay, and Brenda (Warren) Turman of Duluth; a brother, Marlo Hanson and a sister, Joan Johnson both of Willmar; 29 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

VISITATION: 12 Noon until the 1 p.m. service on Thursday February 27, 2014 in Sychar Lutheran Church in Silver Bay. Burial will be at Sawtooth Mountain Cemetery.