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Butch Hanson

Oct 28, 2010

Orlin Raymond “Butch” Hanson, the son of Elmer and Bertha (Monson) Hanson, was born February 8, 1923, in Rugby, North Dakota.He died at the age of 87 years on Friday, October 22, 2010, at his home in Laguna Niguel, California.

Butch was raised in the home of his parents in Rugby and graduated from high school there.On November 25, 1942, at the age of 19 years, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the 535th Heavy Ordinance Company in the battle for Guadalcanal during World War II.He was honorably discharged on January 26, 1946, and returned to Rugby where he started working for the U.S. Postal Service.On July 9, 1949, he was united in marriage to Marion Hjelle at First Lutheran Church in Rugby. Following his marriage, he continued to work for the postal service as a mail carrier, then as Postmaster in Leeds for a number of years, returning to Rugby as postal supervisor, retiring after 35 years of service.A loving husband, father, and grandfather, Butch also did finishing work and painting in the community and for Lotvedt Construction.Marion died July 29, 2003.Butch remained in Rugby following Marion’s death until the fall of 2004, when he moved to Bridgeview Assisted Living in Valley City and, in the fall of 2008, he moved to Laguna Niguel, California, to make his home.

Butch was a member of First Lutheran Church, the Clarence Larson American Legion Post # 23 and its Honor Guard, the Rugby Eagles Aerie #3834, and the Masonic Lodge.Over the years in Rugby, he served on the school board, church council, as mayor, as municipal judge, Grand Master of the North Dakota Masons, President and Treasurer of the Eagles and served as a timer for many Rugby High School basketball and football games.Butch enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and was an avid Vikings and Twins fan. He and Marion enjoyed traveling to many Army reunions, Eagles and Masonic conventions.A favorite pastime was being with his friends, Don and Leo, on the boulevards of their homesjust solving the worlds’ problems.

Survivors include one daughter, Mary Ann (Chuck) Riedman of Litchville; four sons, Lee (Shirley) of Monument, CO, Peter of Temecula, CA, Donald (Haydee) of San Clemente, CA, and David (Kellie) of Pasadena, MD; nine grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Verna (Elmer) Heizelman and Florence Crawford, all of Velva; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife; one brother, Donald; one sister, Avis Pflaum; and his parents.

Memorials are preferred to the Persilla Watts Cemetery of Rugby or Donors’ Choice.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010, at 10:30 a.m., at First Lutheran Church in Rugby with burial in the Persilla Watts Cemetery, Rugby.Pastor Mike Pretzer will officiate. Music will be provided by Alecia Pretzer, soloist, and Pam Anderson, organist.

Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the time of services at the church on Saturday.

Honorary Casketbearers will be Leo Vetter, Don Monger, Representatives of the Rugby Eagles Aerie #3834 and the Masons.

Casketbearers will be Don Hanson, Peter Hanson, Tim Bartsch, Pete Murtaugh, John Teigen, and Neil Lotvedt.

Military Honors will be accorded by the Clarence Larson American Legion Post #23 Honor and Color Guard of Rugby, and the North Dakota Military Honors Detail.

Arrangements by Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby.