Bobby Dean Hanson

Bobby Dean Hanson, age 89, of Maplewood, Minnesota, peacefully passed away on Monday, January 15, 2024. Born in New Effington, SD, Bobby's life journey was marked by dedication, resilience, and generosity.

A funeral service to honor Bobby's life will be held on Monday, January 22, 2024, at Wulff Funeral Home, 1485 White Bear Ave N, St. Paul, Minnesota 55106. Visitation will commence at 10:00 am, followed by the service at 11:00 am. The interment will take place at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, 3400 Century Ave N, St. Paul, MN.

In the early days of his remarkable life, Bobby, or Bob as he was fondly called, spent his childhood in a one-story house located 4 miles outside the town of New Effington. This humble abode lacked electricity and was isolated amidst farm fields, exposing the family to the unforgiving natural elements.

In the bleak winter months, the cold wind would howl through the window frames, bringing with it a flurry of snow that would settle on the floor and the mattresses. The family had to clean the snow from inside the house regularly to keep the living space habitable. The mattresses were made of hay, which provided some insulation from the cold, but they were not very comfortable. The hay would often poke through the fabric, causing discomfort and itchiness. Despite these challenges, the family persevered and found ways to make do with what they had. His mother Ethel made sheets for their beds out of 50 pound flour bags. They were a resilient bunch, and their resourcefulness would serve them well in the years to come.

The children were barefoot all summer, and their shoes were worn-out from work. They only received new shoes and denim overalls at the start of the school year. Despite the challenging conditions, the family had a cow that provided milk, and changing into old clothes after school was a familiar part of their daily routine. This period of rustic living endured until the age of 9.

During these formative years, Bob’s family faced the hardships of the Great Depression, making survival a daily struggle. Food was as scarce as hen’s teeth, and the family had to navigate through the many economic challenges.

The brothers in the family, including Bob, rallied together to grind grain, a crucial contribution to their sustenance. Bob’s mother, an exceptional baker, used the flour from the grain to bake up to 15 loaves of bread every 2-3 days. Her talent for baking became a lifeline for the family, and the quality of her bread was unmatched. In a time when resources were scarce, her culinary skills provided comfort and nourishment. These early years instilled in Bob a deep appreciation for resilience, hard work, and the importance of family bonds that would shape the remarkable journey of his life.

Bob's educational path led him to a one-room schoolhouse, where each morning, he walked to school with resilience. In the winter, he arrived early to help bring in wood for the pot-belly stove, fostering a work ethic and a deep appreciation for community.

When Bob was old enough to begin attending school, his educational path led him to a quaint one-room schoolhouse. Regardless of the weather, every morning he could be found walking to school, in the winter months, he arrived early to help gather wood for the pot-belly stove.

As a young boy at 10 years of age, his family left their humble abode in New Effington, which they referred to as “The Shack,” and embarked on a journey to Sisseton, a small city in South Dakota. The town was a stark contrast to his previous home, with a population of almost ten times more than New

Effington’s meager two hundred. They lived in an apartment on the second floor above the Red Owl grocery store. The move proved to be a wise decision, as it opened up new opportunities for his father and older brothers. They found work more easily with other farmers, and the family was able to lead a more comfortable life.

When Bob was 12, his family moved into an old farmhouse in Browns Valley, Minnesota. The farmhouse lacked running water, but they were able to pump water from a well on the property. They didn’t have a couch, so they spent many nights huddled around a pot belly stove on wooden chairs. Bob’s father, Carl, would sit in a rocking chair and tell stories all night long. The highways were more like trails, and when winter snow would come, it was hard to tell the ditch from the road. Carl was the proud owner of a Ford Model A automobile. Despite the harsh winter weather, Bob recalled his father taking off cross-country through the winter snow with one 4” knobby tire and tire chains on the other side. Carl fared well and managed not to get stuck in the snow. That said, Carl and all of his brothers spent a lot of time shoveling snow.

While they lived in Browns Valley, where golden fields stretched as far as the eye could see, an ambitious farmer set Bob on a seemingly impossible task. The challenge was to shock a sprawling 40-acre field of wheat. The farmer doubted young Bob's ability to conquer the task. In a wager, the farmer offered to pay him $0.50 per acre if he could complete the job. He was confident that the job was beyond one mans capability. Undeterred, Bob saw it as more than just a challenge – he had his eye set on a gleaming new bicycle at Gambles Hardware Store, priced at exactly $20. Determined to make that bicycle his own, he eagerly accepted the wager, the fields awaiting his youthful vigor.

With sleeves rolled up Bob embarked on the colossal feat. The sun played hide-and-seek with the clouds overhead as he worked tirelessly, one bundle of wheat after another. The rustle of the golden stalks echoed his steadfast resolve. As the day wore on, the farmer watched from afar, his skepticism gradually giving way to a grudging acknowledgment of the young lad's tenacity.

As Bob neared the completion of the task, the farmer found himself astounded. The field, once a sea of standing wheat, now boasted neat rows of shocks, a testament to Bob's commitment. The act of "shocking" a field involves bundling together cut wheat stalks and arranging them in upright stacks to dry. Bob's meticulous work not only proved the farmer wrong but also showcased the spirit of determination that ran deep within him.

When Bob finally stood before the farmer, the field transformed behind him, the farmer couldn't help but crack a smile. With a newfound respect, he handed Bob the hard-earned wages – $20, the very sum that would soon exchange hands for the shiny new bicycle at the hardware store. Bob gave the money to his brother Milton who walked into town, bought the bicycle, and rode it home. The farmer went on to hire Bob for subsequent tasks, and when the next season's challenges arrived, it was Bob whom the farmer entrusted to tackle the fields once more.

During this time Bob's father acquired a F14 Farmall Tractor, a mechanical marvel of that age that would soon become the heartbeat of their farm in Palisade, Minnesota. Along with his brother Milton and his father Carl, Bob would have to help transport the tractor over 200 miles from Browns Valley to Palisade.

With the tractor's top speed a modest 4 miles per hour, it was no small undertaking. Their solution was as straightforward as the heartland itself – hoisting the narrow-fronted tractor into the bed of Carl's trusty 1941 International Harvester K-Series pickup truck. Strapped down and with their father at the wheel, they set out on the road. Yet, after a mere 15 miles, an unexpected noise echoed from behind them. The elevation of the tractor had shifted the fluid within the rear differential, prompting a change of plans.

Lowered down from the truck, the tractor had to complete the journey under its own power. Bob and Milton took turns behind the wheel navigating the open road. They took rest that night under the canvas of stars in the sky. The next day, a storm on the horizon brought a pause, and they sought refuge in the truck's cab until the rain's passed over.

Upon arriving at their destination, a constant clicking from the tractor's differential signaled a new hurdle. Unshaken by the obstacles that dotted their path to Palisade, they pressed on, sleeves rolled up, and rebuilt the differential of their steadfast machine amid the prospect of a fresh start.

Their time in Palisade began when Bob was 16 years of age. They harnessed the power of the F14 Farmall Tractor to plow the soil, cultivate rows for planting, and tow wagons laden with the fruits of their harvest. The iconic red workhorse, with its sturdy frame and broad wheels, integrated into the fabric of daily farm life.

In their newfound home in Palisade, the family embraced the responsibilities of managing a farmstead. They had chickens and as many as 20 cows which required daily care. Each morning, the children carried out their routine of feeding, and caring for their new companions.

The fruits of their labor extended beyond the barn doors. They kept the chicken coop tidy and fed the chickens with nutritious food, which rewarded them with eggs of high quality. The milk produced by the cows provided another source of income. They separated the rich cream from the milk, and would embark on a journey to the town's creamery where the cream became a valuable commodity. At home, Bob and his family would churn cream to produce butter and buttermilk, a cherished tradition that added a touch of richness to their table. Just like other farmers in their time, they had potatoes with every meal.

Bob's intrigue for machinery flourished as he worked alongside neighboring farmers. After having mastering the art of driving a tractor at a young age, he delved into the inner workings of engines, drive trains, and other mechanical components. Soon, Bob and his brother Milton encountered a farmer who extended a job offer on a farm in Rosholt, South Dakota – 20 miles north of their previous home in Browns Valley.

Equipped by their employer, the brothers set out on the Winter Wheat Harvest run with two pickup trucks: a brand new fully loaded 1951 Chevrolet 3100 ½ and a 1946 International Harvester K-Series. They started in Oklahoma, where the winter wheat crop matured early. At that time, wheat in the northern states was still green on the stalks. Their journey covered a vast expanse of the Great Plains, from one field to the next following the wave of ripening wheat through Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas.

Operating two combines, each equipped with a 14-foot header bar, they toiled under the sun from dawn until dusk. These self-propelled behemoths were the king of combines, with a pilot cab allowing the operator to control the transmission. They attached headlights to the combines so their work could continue beyond sunset.

When the day’s work was done, they slept on 36-inch-wide army cots, often outside under the stars, or sometimes inside of a barn. They carried out the cutting, threshing, and storing of the harvested wheat before moving on to the next location.

At the age of 21, Bob bid farewell to the tranquil landscapes of farm life, embracing a new chapter in the Twin Cities. There, he married his sweetheart, Clarine Ione Murphy, and embarked on a career as a drywall finisher, following in the footsteps of Clarine's father, a lifetime member of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT).

However, at 23, a pivotal moment unfolded in Bob's life as he was drafted into the army. Amidst military service, he not only proved himself as an expert marksman but also studied the intricacies of mechanical engineering and internal combustion engines. These newfound skills, rooted in his experience repairing tractors on the farm, added valuable knowledge that he would pass on to future generations.

Upon returning to civilian life, Bob and Clarine purchased land next door to her mother, and began constructing a home for their growing family. They had six children, and Bob loved them all very much. He worked hard to give them everything they needed and taught them how to be good people.

Also a lifetime member of the union, Bob devoted himself to altruistic endeavors, volunteering with organizations like Habitat for Humanity. His generosity knew no bounds, he was always there to help his neighbors and the local shops whenever they needed a hand.

In later years, Bob and Clarine explored the country in a motorhome, visiting national parks, seeing amazing sights, and creating enduring memories. One of their favorite trips was to Nashville, where they met Minnie Pearl and enjoyed the music and magic of the Grand Ole Opry from backstage.

Bob's legacy extended to 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, to whom he shared his wealth of knowledge in construction, woodworking, and automotive maintenance. At 68, a life-altering kidney transplant from his only son, Thomas Hanson, gifted him with an additional 21 years of precious time with his beloved family.

A local legend, Bob's selfless act of clearing snow from driveways using his trusty John Deere 3520 tractor became symbolic of his giving nature. Known for his patience, sense of humor, and ability to make every moment special, Bob's impact on the hearts of those he touched is immeasurable. As the final chapter closes, Bob's legacy lives on through countless memories and the valuable lessons he shared with the next generation.