Dan Burke Hanson

Dan Hanson, 91, died at his home in Kaycee July 22, 1997. Funeral services were July 25 at Bader Funeral Home in Lusk. Memorials are to Stagecoach Museum in Lusk or the Hoofprints of the Past Museum in Kaycee.

Dan Burke Hanson was born Feb. 4, 1906, in a small house in Lusk to Frank and Kate Hanson. A year later, his sister, Sadie, was born; nine years earlier, his half-sister, Margaret Dorsey Miller, was born. He was raised on the family homestead 20 miles north of Lusk on Young Woman Creek. This was the heart of what they put together now known as Hanson Livestock. He attended various local schools around the ranch and then roomed in Lusk for high school. He played on Lusk's first high school football team. He graduated from Lusk High School in 1924. He then attended summer school in Laramie so that he could teach. He taught in various rural schools. He ranched with his father for several years while teaching. In 1930, he filed as a candidate for election to the state legislature as a Democrat. He developed a unique eloquence and was called the "Abraham Lincoln" of the Legislature.

He married Margaret Brock May 18, 1943. They ranched on Young Woman Creek and in 1954 moved to Kaycee. He operated ranches in Kaycee, Lusk and Faith, S. D., for a number of years.

He was an outspoken advocate of conservative policies concerning limited government. Some of his last words were "some people want the government to do things for them, but that will get them in trouble. I hope the younger generation is on the right track."

He was active in livestock organizations and a lifetime honorary member of the Wyoming Stock Growers. He was also active in Farm Bureau and the local school board. His extensive letter writing was reflective in his life time self-education. He had a tremendous hunger for knowledge and truth.

He was preceded in death by his parents and both sisters.

Survivors include his wife; sons John and Brock Hanson, both of Kaycee, Danny and Jeb Hanson, both of Lusk; daughters Katheryn Williams and Julie Haines of Kaycee; 11 grandchildren; one niece; and two nephews.