Donald Edward Hanson

Donald Edward Hanson died peacefully in Rochester, Minnesota, on November 1, 2026, at the age of 88, following treatment for adrenal gland lymphoma and pneumonia. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jean, and his sons Edward (Tiffany) and Daniel (Christine) along with grandchildren Em, George, Eddie, and Genevieve. He is also survived by his sister Marlys Jensen (Don), his sisters-in-law Ann Bezoier Anderson and Sally Hanson, and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Don was born in Rochester, Minnesota, on September 19, 1938, to parents Myrna and George Hanson. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Mary (Paul) Schmitter, Robert "Buzz" Hanson and Kathleen (Loren) Olson.

Don graduated from Mankato State College in 1962 and began work at First National Bank in Mankato (now US Bank). At this time, he also served in the US Army Reserves. He married Jean Bezoier in October 1963 in Rochester where they both grew up. They lived in Mankato for two years before moving to Northfield. In 1967 he became a sales representative for Herff Jones Company, selling high school class rings. He and Jean moved to Madison, Wisconsin, during this time, where their son Ted was born. Two years later they moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where their son Dan was born. In 1972 Don returned to US Bank, this time in Owatonna, Minnesota. In 1978, they moved to Rochester, where he found his true calling specializing as a mortgage banker. In 1985 he struck out on his own, opening an office that became Summit Mortgage. He often expressed how gratifying this was. He enjoyed getting to know people and helping them attain home ownership.

Don was a highly social and caring man. He loved his family, and his wife Jean's happiness meant the world to him. He was the hardest worker she ever knew. He started with two paper routes in grade school. On the day he turned 15, he marched into the SuperValu grocery store and began work as a bag boy. Even in his final days, he remembered the color and make of every grocery customer's car, reflecting his lifelong passion for automobiles. A short time after beginning at the store he bought his first car, a 1930 Model A Ford coupe for $65. As a small boy Don (also known as "Duck" or "Red") loved cars, and throughout his life he loved collecting and driving his cars from every decade. His restorations of a 1933 Packard, a 1924 Packard and a 1947 Cadillac earned national recognition. He donated his 1924 Packard to the Gilmore Car Museum in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and he donated his 1914 American La France fire engine to its original firehouse in Calumet City, Illinois, where the cars are on display for the public.

Don retired in 2003 and kept busy volunteering, restoring his cars, mowing the lawn, and visiting grandchildren. He continued his long term service and membership of the Lions Club, active membership of the First Unitarian Universalist Church, and his activities as a community volunteer, including many years of service as a greeter in the Mayo Clinic Historical Suite. On any given day, when Don was not in his garage or fixing "some damn thing" (almost always with the help of his nephew Gary), you might find Don at the donut shop or tooling around the neighborhood in his latest automotive project. Don had a way of weaving little pearls of wisdom, life lessons, and bits of local lore into his stories, engaging almost anyone within earshot.

He will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather, an industrious and conscientious worker, a meticulous restorer of automobiles and a cheerful member of his community.

There will be a Memorial Service on Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 4pm at Our Saviors Lutheran Church on Viola Road in Rochester, with reception and light meal to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider the Classic Car Club of America Museum, 6865 Hickory Road, Hickory Corners, Michigan 48060, First Unitarian Universalist Church, or the organization of your choice