Nels Hanson
November 12, 1943 ~ January 27, 2011
View Nels' Tribute Video
Nels Hanson, 67, of Faulkton, passed away Thursday, January 27, 2011 at the Faulkton Area Medical Center.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 31, 2011 at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Faulkton with Father Joji Itukulapati officiating. Burial followed at St. Thomas Cemetery, Faulkton. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, January 30, 2011 with a 7:00 p.m. wake service at the church.
Nels L. Hanson was born November 12, 1943 to Tillman and Edna (Grimm) Hanson. He was raised on the family farm near Burkmere, South Dakota and attended country school at Latham and Burkmere. In 1957, the family moved to Faulkton where he attended high school. His Grandma Grimm took him to sales and fostered his love for animals and keen eye for a good purchase. His salt and pepper shaker collection was renowned and will be donated to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He enjoyed going to sales and collecting “treasures”, having coffee with friends especially Linda and Tom Bartholomew. He had a great compassion for the elderly and children; playing Santa for them. He loved his community and his passing will leave a “Nels sized hole” in the life and fabric of Faulkton, South Dakota.
Throughout his life, his employment included cafes, bakery, Red Owl, Faulkton School, Rexall Drug, SuperValu and the nursing home. He was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Faulkton.
Grateful to have shared in his life is his siblings, Margaret “Peggy” (Don) Schiedel, Yankton, SD and Eugene Hanson, Faulkton, SD; sister-in-law, Beverly Hanson, Faulkton, SD; many nieces, nephews, and special friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Roger and Rockne Hanson and two great nephews, Kyle Redden and Shawn Potts.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials which will be donated to local charities.
Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Nels' arrangements. 
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Nels was such a good hearted man. He always greeted you with a smile. I had known Nels since I was little and as I grew older he never forgot my name nor did he treat me like a stranger. That can be respected about a person and that is why he will be dearly missed. May God Bless you and welcome you with his arms wide open Nels.
Our sympathies to the family of Nels. Whenever we would visit Faulkton, we would make a point of finding Nels and wishing him well. He has been an Icon in Faulkton for many years. May he rest in peace in the Arms of Jesus. God Bless. Marvin & Dean Shaw
What a shock when we read this as we had coffee with him this morning at Lowes!
We will be keeping the family in our thoughts and prayers.
My sincere sympathy goes out to all of Nels’ family. One summer Natalie Law and I worked with Nels and Rodney Snow at the school, and we had a great experience. Nels was always kind-hearted and would do anything for anyone. We could all use a little more ‘Nels’ in our life. He will never be forgotten.
Nels was one of a kind. Whenever I would go to Faulkton to visit my Grandma Jenson many years ago, one of the first things I always wanted to do with her was visit Nels at the Red Owl. I can still see him stacking things on the shelves as we’d walk into the store. Over the past few years, I haven’t made it back to Faulkton much, but whenever we were there, we would drive all over town to look for Nels so we could spend time with him. He was a fixture in Faulkton, and I always thought he’d be someone who would be there for many more future visits. He was a part of our family, and I will miss him dearly.
Oh how many wonderful memories we have of you Nels! You gave and you gave and you gave….You were part of our family and so many other families. You were always there to help at the drugstore or wherever Mom and Dad or one of us needed you! I will never forget how you surprised Thomas and Bethany in your “special red suit” at Christmas! I will forever treasure the “food should be cooked with butter and love” antique plate you gave me, but more than that I will treasure you, the friend you were to so many and the many cups of coffee you shared with mom. Faulkton was a better place because of you Nels. Rest in Peace.
My deepest sympathy to all of Nels
family. He had to be the most friendly guy in Faulkton. He knew everybody by name and always had time to visit. He will certainly be missed.
Reading of the passing of Nels was a shock. Deepest sympathy to the family.
Nels was part of my ‘growing up in Seneca’ experience. And we recently renewed acquaintance while my parents were residents in the Faulkton Nursing Home. It was so wonderful to see him bringing joy to others. I am sure he will be sorely missed by many. Peace be to him.
To our dearest Grandpa Nels –
You were so very special to our family that all my kids considered you “Grandpa Nels”. You had so much love to share with so many people and we were lucky enough to experience it! My girls will forever hold a special place in their hearts for you! Our trips to town will not be the same as you ALWAYS took the time to seek us out, give the girls a hug, and usually buy them a treat! 🙂 I am so saddened that I did not have your 2011 calendar of the kids made for you yet. It was only a week or so ago that you reminded me that you didn’t care how long it took as it was one of your most cherished Christmas gifts. So now my hope is that you will live eternally with the memories of last years calendar. Faulkton will forever miss your tender smile and your great generosity! Our many memories of you will live on forever! Rest in Peace Nels!
We always enjoyed visiting with Nels when we visited in Faulkton. Our prayers are with the family.
We both remember Nels when we were growing up in Faulkton and after we left there in the ’50’s we always looked forward to seeing him and his happy greeting and wonderful smile. He was certainly a great town addition, and we know he will be missed.
Whenever we went back to Faulkton to visit, we included a visit with Nels. He served as a great ambassador for Faulkton. His cheerful greeting from across the street or up the block will certainly be missed by is and surely many others. Hollis and Darleen Hall
You will always be remembered as a special person in the hearts of many, Nels…remembering the good laughs we always shared at the drug store and beyond..rest in peace.
Nels was a very hard and dedicated person to each task at hand no matter where he was. He enjoyed what he did, because he appreciated what he could contribute to everyone. I will forever miss him coming to the nursing home kitchen and asking “Whatcha girls cooking today?” Even when he wasn’t working. Food gave him joy, and staff liked to bring him “special” treats. Nels touched so many generations of lives over the years that his void will be felt in many places. God Bless the memories of all!
Our sympathies to Nels family. He was such a kind man. Such a people person and always had a kind word for everyone.
Terry and Carol Witte
What a great loss to the Faulkton community and to all of us who knew him. Whenever we went to Faulkton we always tried to get together with Nels and find out what was happening in town and with him. In turn he would be sure to ask about our two children and how they were doing. He even called our Daughter in Minneapolis a couple of weeks ago to find out how she was. How thoughtful. Thank you Nels for being a friend to all of us and for being such a good example. We will dearly miss you..
Nels was one of a kind. Whenever I would go to Faulkton to see my Grandma Jenson, it was always so much fun to ask her if we needed anything from the Red Owl so I could go and visit with him. The last couple of years we would stop in Faulkon on our way to the river fishing and would always call him up and tell him we were in Faulkton. What a great and generous guy Nels was. He will be greatly missed by our family and the community of Faulkton.
Rest in peace Nelly–you are a special person
Surely a friend to everyone, that’s our Nels. His friendship spanned the two generations of my family, my wife Susan and Me and then our kids, Wendy, Scott, and Marc. Always there to greet us on a return to Faulkton. He will be missed.
We are sorry that we are unable to attend his funeral due to the weather.
Our sympathies to the Hansen family.
Jim and Susan Jenson
The picture of Nels is great. He was pretty proud when he got dressed up in the tux. We will miss him! I loved to have him tell the story of going to California back in the 60’s. He made me laugh every time. The return trip with our Aunt Maraetta and Uncle Bill Karras is priceless. We also considered him part of the Jenson family.
Nels will be greatly missed was alwas a pleasure to visit when we returned to Faulkton
Today was the first I had heard of Nel’s passing. I am deeply saddened by his loss for his family and friends. Going into page 3 demonstrates how much he was loved. He and I were great friends in the 60’s while I grew up in Faulkton. We spent time together driving around and hunting gophers. I knew his grandfather and took movies of he and Nels together out at Burkmere. Nels always as many mentioned had that broad smile and I still remember his laugh. He was one of the beating hearts of Faulkton and will be missed. Peace Nels.