Robert "Bob" Elling Hanson

Robert Elling “Bob” Hanson went to his heavenly home on November 13, 2022. He was a gentle, kind man with a wonderful sense of humor, who loved his family and his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was born to Aven and Bertha Hanson during the great blizzard of 1936 on January 21st. As a boy he grew up in rural Cumberland. He attended the Section Ten Country School and worked on the family farm. He enjoyed being in 4H and had a pet lamb that he adored. His love of music started in his family home with his Mother at the piano and he and his siblings singing along. As a teenager he attended Cumberland High School and was a seasonal worker at Stokley’s Canning Factory. Bob enrolled at North Central University in MN. He met lifelong friends there, was president of his class, and graduated in 1956. It was there that he met his future bride, Sherry Snyder from Keyser, W. VA. They tied the knot during their Christmas break on Dec. 28 of ’55, in yet another blizzard in Rice Lake, WI. The couple lived and began their family in the Twin Cities area. For 20 years he managed for Red Owl Stores; later he began home delivery of dairy products, which he continued when he moved his family to their new home in the country south of Cameron, WI in 1974. In 1977 he begin a new adventure by purchasing the Farmer’s Store in Barron, WI. It was renamed “Hanson’s Family Center”. Bob rose to this new challenge and his hard work paid off in 9 great years and many new friends. His last work endeavor was as a distributor of motivational/inspirational books for Successful Living. Bob enjoyed reading, crosswords, singing, playing his ukulele, and gardening. He fun-lovingly shared his stories wherever a captive audience was found. A huge part of his life was spent with Sherry as they traveled the country sharing their music as the duo, Hearts of Harmony. Left to continue Bob’s Legacy: his wife Sherry; three sons, Raymon (Wendy), Randy (Shelly), & Russ (Laura), his daughter, Roni Lynn Kinney (late husband, Chuck Kinney), 10 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. Surviving Sisters: Loree McCumber, Lois Morrison and Anita Ventling. Preceded in death by his Parents, Brothers: Marian, Marvin, Clifford & Edward, and Sisters: Gladys & Allene. Celebration of Bob’s well-lived life will be on his 87th birthday, Saturday, January 21, 2023 at the Chetek United Methodist Church in Chetek, WI at 11am. Visitation will be on Friday, January 20, 2023 from 4-6pm and 1 hour prior to the Saturday service.   Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nationalcremation.com/location/richfield for the Hanson family.