Arthur J. Hanson, 86

St. Thomas, N.D. - Arthur J. Hanson, 86, died Thursday, January 31, 2002 at Lutheran Sunset Nursing Home in Grafton, N.D.

Funeral services were held Saturday, February 2, at 2 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Thief River Falls with Rev. Gary Johnson officiating. Music was provided by Diane Johnson. Casketbearers included Leonard Moe, Eddie Moe, Jack Hanson, Alec Moe, Joe Robinson, Tanner Altendorf and Tom Hermann. Military honors were accorded by the Thief River Falls American Legion and VFW posts. Interment was in St. Olaf Cemetery in Grygla.

Arthur Julian Hanson was born on August 13, 1915 at Grygla, the son of John Mayor and Gertrude (Haugland) Hanson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and attended school at Grygla.

During World War II, Arthur served for more than four years in the United States Army and was awarded the Bronze Star medal, American Defense Service medal, European-African-Middle Eastern medal, American Campaign medal, World War II Victory medal, Combat Infantryman badge, and Army of Occupation medal with the German clasp.

He resided in California for several years before moving to North Dakota in the early 1950's. Arthur worked for several farmers in the Hoople-Auburn (N.D.) area and spent his retirement years at Auburn. In 1995, he moved to Heritage Village in St. Thomas where he resided until December of 2000 when he moved to Lutheran Sunset Nursing Home in Grafton.

Arthur enjoyed gardening, raising strawberries and raspberries, and growing flowers.

Survivors include five sisters, Mildred (Bruce) Green of Shobonier, Ill., Ruth (Phillip) Kasowski of Kent, Wash., Betty (Joseph) Robinson of St. Thomas, N.D., and Edna (Leonard) Moe and Delores (Edward) Moe, both of Grygla; four brothers, Gilbert and Albert, both of Grafton, N.D., Kenneth of Fergus Falls, and Norman of South Dakota; and many nieces and nephews.

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Johnny, Harold, Leland and Turnell.