Ernest O Hanson

Ernest O."Ernie" Hanson, 95, of La Crosse, passed away on Friday, December 16, 2011, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.Ernie was born to Alfred and Elise (Evenson) Hanson on April 23, 1916, on a homestead farm near Lavina, Montana. Ernie's mother died when he was 13 and the family relocated to Viroqua, Wisconsin to be near relatives. After graduating from high school Ernie received teacher training at Vernon County Normal School, followed by two years at La Crosse State Teachers College (now UW-L), where he also joined the Wisconsin National Guard. Ernie finished his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1940. After a six-month apprenticeship with the La Crosse law office of Quincy Hale and Tom Skemp, he was admitted to practice law in 1941 and joined the firm. In November of 1941, Ernie was called to active duty as a buck private in the U.S. Army, selected for Officer Candidate School, and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant of Coastal Artillery. While stationed at Ft. Monroe, VA., he met Grace Worrell of Petersburg, VA. They married on October 16, 1943. He completed his military service as a Captain in the 32nd Infantry Division (Red Arrow) in the Philippines. After the war, Ernie returned with his young family to La Crosse and rejoined the law firm, which became Hale, Skemp, and Hanson and is now known as Hale, Skemp, Hanson, Skemp & Sleik. Ernie practiced in almost every area of the law during a career that extended over 65 years. He earned a reputation throughout the Wisconsin legal community as an outstanding lawyer known for his sincerity, fair dealing, and effective representation of his clients.A lifetime of service to charitable organizations is another important aspect of Ernie's legacy to the La Crosse community. He served for many years on the boards and in other leadership positions of Lutheran Hospital, the La Crosse YMCA, the Gateway Area Council-Boy Scouts of America, La Crosse Community Theater, and the Salvation Army Advisory Board and Finance Committee. He was for many years Chairman of the Naturalization Day ceremonies in La Crosse Circuit Court. As Chairman of the La Crosse Memorial Day Association for over 50 years, he led the effort to establish the tradition of an annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony.Ernie was the 1994 recipient of the Iverson Freking Ecumenical Recognition Award from the Bethany St. Joseph Corporation. He was also honored with the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow Award and the Senior Lawyer Division Award in 2006. Ernie was a long-time active member of English Lutheran Church and a life member of Roy L. Vingers American Legion Post 52 and Thomas Rooney V.F.W. Post 1530. He was a founding member and former president of Yggrasil, a Scandinavian cultural study group, and a long-time member of the Sons of Norway.He farmed tobacco on his fathers farm near Viroqua as a hobby and enjoyed reading, trout fishing in the streams in Vernon County, swimming in the ocean, and cheering for the Badgers. Ernest and Grace were regular fixtures on the local ballroom dance scene for decades, and he remained an enthusiastic downhill skier until the age of 88. Ernie will be most remembered for his kind and generous spirit, which shone until the end. A warm handshake, an ever-cheerful smile, and a ready laugh bespoke his compassion for all.Ernie is survived by his wife of 68 years, Grace; his children: son, Robert Tex (Millie) Hanson of Marquette, Mich., son, Charles (Cheryl) Hanson of La Crosse, daughter, Elizabeth Taborda of Minneapolis, son, David (Barbara) Hanson of Holmen, daughter, Christine (Tim) Machan of Wauwatosa, WI, daughter, Deborah Bartel of Chico, CA., and daughter, Katherine (John) Storlie of La Crosse; 14 grandchildren: Eric (Rosanna) Hanson, Matthew (Brynn) Hanson, Adriana (Dan Williamson) Taborda, Eric, Renee and Zachary Hanson, Charles and Timothy Machan, Rachel, Anna, and Alex Bartel, Clara (Trent) Ping, Grace and Benjamin Storlie; and four great-grandchildren: Emma Jayne and Joshua Hanson, and Evan and Linnea Hanson. Ernie is further survived by one sister, Agnes (Joseph) Guarisco of Greenwich, CT.; nieces and nephews: Elise Thomas, William Guarisco, Janette Scott, Susan DeSantis, and Eric Guarisco and their families; and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.Friends may call at the English Lutheran Church, 1509 King Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin on Monday, December 26th from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., and at the church on Tuesday, December 27th from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Mark Solyst will officiate. The service will be followed by a luncheon at the church where stories and memories of Ernies life will be shared.

Burial in Oak Grove Cemetery with military honors will follow the reception. Memorials may be directed to the University of Wisconsin Foundation Ernest O. Hanson Law Scholarship Fund, the Salvation Army, Gundersen Lutheran Foundation, or English Lutheran Church.