James "Jim" Dee Hanson

James Dee

Funeral services for James Dee "Jim" Hanson, 36, of Harrison, Neb., were held Saturday, March 2, 1991, at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Nativity in Harrison with Fr. Neal Nollette officiating. Burial was in the Harrison Cemetery. Wake services were held Friday, March 1 at 7 p.m. at the church.

Hanson was born at Lusk on Aug. 1, 1954 to Herbert and Betty (Eberspecher) Hanson. He died Thursday, Feb. 28, 1991, at his home following a valiant struggle with brain cancer.

Music for the service, provided by Tim Bosak, included "The Old Rugged Cross," "One Day at a Time"and"Suddenly There's a Valley."

Pallbearers were Joanne Kyral, Mark Bishop, Jeff Johnson, Pat Kraus, Mike Behrends, Tom James and Bob Anderson. Honorary pallbearers were Roger Walsh, Curt Morgheim, Jim Krajewshi, Gene Weimer, Chris Hamaker, Reid Miller, Erik Swanson, Phillip Skavdahl, Andy Federle, Joe Grimm, John Rapier, John Dane Bourret, Bob Marsteller, John Carnahan, John Herren and Jim Pullen.

Memorials have been established to the Church of Nativity or Friends of Agate.

He grew up and attended school in Harrison. He graduated from Sioux County High School with the class of 1972 where he was active in football and basketball. He attended Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington on a basketball scholarship and was a graduate of Chadron State College with the class of 1976.

While attending college, he was a summer employee of the park service at Agate, Neb. Following graduation he taught school at Brady, Neb., for one semester. From there he accepted a full-time position with the National Park Service as maintenance supervisor at Agate Fossil Beds where he served for 15 years.

He loved the outdoors, his job, his family, his friends, hunting and fishing. He was a person who found joy wherever he went and imparted it to others. He was a skilled carpenter, loved working with oak, and created many fine pieces of furniture for family and friends.

His greatest joy was hunting. He was able to go on many big game hunts. His trophies include mountain lion, mountain goat, black bear, grizzly bear, and caribou. He hunted coyotes, bobcat, deer, antelope and other wildlife native to the area.

He was first stricken with melanoma in January 1988. His zest for life and determination to live were incredible. He went through 12 brain operations, radiation and chemotherapy. He continued to work until Jan. 20, 1991, when his health made it impossible for him to carry on.

He was preceded in death by and infant brother, John Bradley Hanson. He is survived by his parents, Herb and Betty Hanson; his sister, Judy Devine and her husband Alan of Oconto, Neb., a nephew, Andy; niece, Elizabeth of Oconto and innumerable relatives and a host of friends.

Chamberlain Chapel of Crawford was in charge of arrangements.

This gravestone photo was found on nebraskagravestones.org.

Images & Attachments

Related/Linked Records