Helmer "Red" L Hanson Jr

Helmer L. “Red” Hanson age 92 of Detroit Lakes, MN died July 19, 2018 at Essentia Health Hospital in Fargo, ND. Helmer Leroy Hanson Jr. was born May 2, 1926 in Audubon, MN to Helmer and Annie Hanson. He grew up on the family farm and attended Country School near there. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII in the Asiatic – Pacific Theater. In 1953 he was united in marriage to Elvina Westgard in Sisseton, SD. They made their home in Detroit Lakes, MN, where he owned and operated H.L. “Red” Hanson Trucking. He sold he trucking firm in 1963 and moved to CA. They moved back in 1973 and he restarted the trucking firm, retiring in 1989. Red loved mowing lawns, feeding squirrels, Bingo, Casinos, his cat Sam, his church, talking and telling stories, and time spent with his family. Everyday for the last ten years he and his friend Vivian would have breakfast at the Holiday Inn. Red is survived by two sons, David (Angela) Hanson, of Sacramento, CA; and Larry Hanson, of Detroit Lakes, MN; three daughters, Vikki Anderson, of Hawley, MN; Pam Madson, of Walker, MN; and Kathy (Paul) Jorgenson, of Park Rapids, MN; ten grandchildren; twenty two great grandchildren; one great great grandson; one sister, Martha Remmen, of Audubon, MN; and special friend, Vivian Wittnebel of Detroit Lakes, MN and her two daughters Renee and Debbie. Red was preceded in death by one granddaughter, April Hanson; five brothers; one sister; his parents; and two sons in law, Glen Madson and Dale Anderson.