Martin Hanson

Martin O. Hanson, 89, Fargo, ND died Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at Bethany Homes , Fargo . The Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 1, at Faith Lutheran Church , Dwight , ND , with Rev. Gordon Lee officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 5 PM to 8 PM with a 7 PM prayer service at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton. Interment will be at the Faith Lutheran Church Cemetery , Dwight. Military honors will be by Hafner-Miller-Ross American Legion Post No. 20, Wahpeton VFW Post No. 4324, and the North Dakota Military Honor Guard.

Martin O. Hanson was born July 25, 1920 in Noonan , ND to Ole Peter Hanson and Anne (Ringdahl) Hanson. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church , Noonan , ND and graduated from Noonan High School . Martin was employed by the Great Northern Railroad in various stations in ND as a telegraph operator and later as the station agent in Wahpeton, ND and subsequently in Breckenridge , MN , until his retirement in 1981 after over 40 years of railroad service.

Martin met June Lund while he was working at the Dwight, ND station. They were married on October 11, 1942.

Martin joined the Army in 1943, and spent time in Louisiana and Pennsylvania before going overseas to France and Germany . He served as a Staff Sergeant with the 746 ^th Railway Battalion as a telegrapher and also as a cook.

Martin was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Wahpeton for many years. Most recently, he was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Dwight , ND . He was also a member of the VFW, American Legion Fraternal Order of Eagles, Sons of Norway and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Veterans Association. In addition, Martin served as Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 64 for many years. He was an avid model railroader and enjoyed playing whist with friends and family. After retiring, he especially enjoyed spending time with his various coffee buddies in St. Paul and Fargo .

Martin and June were married for almost 61 years. They have two sons: Monte (Renae) in West Fargo , ND and Larry (Lynda) in Portland , OR ; five grandchildren: Jodi, Jacki, Jeff, Julie and Jacob; and two great-grandchildren: Isaac and Isaiah.

Besides his two sons and their families, Martin is survived by his sister Olga Rait of Crosby , ND . Survivors also include two sisters-in-law: Gloria Lund, Breckenridge and Delores Lund, Minneapolis , MN , and numerous nieces and nephews in the area.