Jon Edward Hanson

Jon Edward Hanson joined his loving Heavenly Father on May 1, 2025 when he died peacefully at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines, IA. Jon was born to Emil and Joyce (Teie) Hanson on November 3, 1941 in Hatton, ND. 

Jon (known as Jack in his younger years) attended Hatton High School and graduated from Oak Grove High in Fargo, ND in 1959. He attended North Dakota State University pursuing forestry and architectural engineering. He transferred to North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton where he excelled at engineering drafting. 

In junior high, during St. John’s Luther League, Jon met his future wife, Bonnie Brekke. Their later courtship involved church on Sundays and homemade pizzas with his family. On August 23, 1964, they married at Hope Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND and moved to Beloit, WI. Jon worked as a draftsman and shop liaison for Ingersoll Milling in Rockford, IL, and owned Johnson Cycle Shop in Beloit. He developed the Beloit parks cross-country ski trails, helped bring youth soccer to Beloit, served on the Town of Beloit Parks Committee and served on the Calvary Lutheran Church council.

Jon retired to Door County, WI where he taught faceplate woodturning at The Clearing Folk School, protected Door County’s treasured lands and waters with the Door County Land Trust and served on the building and grounds committee for Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church. The pull of family brought Jon and Bonnie to Polk City, IA in 2019 where they joined Lutheran Church of Hope. 

Jon wants to be remembered for his family. He and Bonnie welcomed 3 children: Ingrid, Breta and Thor and 7 grandchildren. He shared with them his love for the outdoors, sailing, and working with his hands.

Jon is survived by his wife of 60 years, their children Ingrid (Jay) Stukerjurgen, Breta (David) Brown and Thor (Belinda) Hanson, grandchildren Brek and Finn Stukerjurgen, Jakob and Sarah Brown and Ayla, Elana and Soren Hanson, his brothers Darryl (Kathy), Richard (Pam), David (Laurie) and Michael (Debbie), sister Cathy (Don) Heitkamp, and brother-in-law Steve (Patti) Brekke. Jon was preceded in death by his parents and brother Dennis.

Jon’s family would like to thank the incredible staff at Taylor House Hospice for caring for Jon and giving them the opportunity to make special memories until their last moments with him. 

A celebration service will be held at Lutheran Church of Hope in Ankeny, IA on Tuesday, May 13 at 11am. Livestream information will be posted here: CelebrateJon

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Taylor House Hospice, Lutheran Church of Hope local missions, or Jon would especially have encouraged family and friends to continue to care for our lands by volunteering at a favorite park, trail or waterway.