Richard Frank Hanson

Richard Frank Hanson was born on May 4, 1945, in Barron, Wisconsin to Ingval and Margaret Hanson. He died on June 2, 2026, in Hudson, Wisconsin surrounded by the people he loved the most in a room filled with stories and laughter. Rich lived a full life. Raised on the family farm, he learned the value of hard work and loyalty. He also learned some lessons in the classroom, starting out in a one-room country schoolhouse and continuing through a 1-year Ag Short Course at UW-Madison. But most of life’s lessons he learned the hard way like recovering from a gunshot wound at 14 and too many “close calls” throughout his young adult years. Then, starting in 1968 Richard learned the ways of the road. For 42 years Dick (as he was known at work) was an over-the-road truck driver. He hauled everything from swinging beef to frozen Italian Ice. His career took him to 47 of the lower 48 states. Rich was a very hard worker. He was faithful and honest, taking great pride in doing his job the right way.

It was evident to anyone who knew him why Rich worked so hard – to provide for his family. In 1972 Rich became Ruth’s husband then Sarah and Gary’s Dad. For the final 54 years of his life Richard provided for his family. Not only did he provide financially, he also provided spiritually and lovingly. After driving Sunday evening through Friday night, Saturdays were filled with yard work and tasks around the house. Sunday was always church, followed by a family dinner and often a game of rummy around the kitchen table or watching the Packers before he would climb back into the big rig and do it all over again. It was always hard to see him leave, and part of this weekly rhythm was the kids asking when they would see him again and Richard responding, “when you see the browns of my eyes.”

Richard had a mischievous twinkle in those brown eyes. It came out when he’d go fishing with Tommy or laughing with Ruth. His eyes twinkled telling people about his kids or calling to just check in. But his eyes twinkled the most for his grandchildren. Rich loved making them laugh and watching them grow. His goodness was on full display with each book he’d read and story he’d tell, always spicing up the details just a little bit to make it more fun!

Unfortunately, Richard’s last years were hard because Parkinson's Disease is hard. While he battled so admirably and continued to bring so much joy to the people in his life, there is a deep gratitude in knowing that his struggle is over. His pain and confusion are no more.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

Among those who will miss the “browns of his eyes” are Ruth - his life-partner and wife for 53 beautiful years. Sarah & Bill Prem, Greta, Liam and Joey. Gary & Margo Hanson, Hayley & Skylar. Brothers & Sisters. Nieces and Nephews. And friends near and far.

The family would like to thank all the love shown to Richard by the beautiful people at Cambridge Senior Living, Sequoia Integrative Medical Services, and St. Croix Hospice.

A celebration of Richard’s life will be held at O’Connell Funeral Home in Baldwin on Monday, June 29 – Visitation beginning at 11am, service at noon with lunch and burial at the Baldwin Cemetery to follow.

Funeral services are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Baldwin.  For more information or to share a memory, please visit www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com or call 715-386-3725.