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Orion Luthard Hanson Obituary – 03/15/08


Orion Luthard Hanson, age 85, of Cokato, died Saturday, March 15, 2008.

He was born Dec. 23, 1923, in Boyd, Minn. to Ben and Minnie Hanson, one of six children. Orion was baptized and confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Boyd.    After high school graduation, Orion moved with his family to Cokato.

He served his country in World War II, stationed in Japan, and completed his service in 1946.   Orion married Margaret-Lor-raine  June 4, 1949, at Stockholm Lutheran Church in Cokato, and then moved to Iowa.

Orion graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa with a degree in accounting.    

In 1956, the couple moved to Minnetonka, where Orion took an accounting position with Strand and Roe, a public accounting firm in Wayzata. He studied and passed his CPA certification and became a partner in the firm. Orion particularly enjoyed his small town clients, and he returned home late many evenings after working voluntarily after hours to help his clients with their financial needs. 

He retired from the Grant Thornton accounting firm, and spent three years as the controller for LeSueur Foundry.

In 1987, Margaret and Orion sold their Minnetonka home and moved to Cokato. Orion retired in 1989.    For 17 years, Orion and Margaret traveled to Sun City, Ariz. for the winter. Time in Arizona was spent enjoying golf, starting a horseshoe club, participating in computer club, serving as treasurer of the condominium association, and volunteering his tax services for AARP 

Orion was active in church activities including serving on the church council, choir, and various committees.

He enjoyed being with his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed sharing his love of music with his family and friends. Over the years, he sang in several church choirs, sang duets with Margaret, and harmonized in quartets.    During the final years of his life, Orion suffered from complications of Pick’s disease.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Vernon; and sisters LaVonne Ouimette, Vivian Winge, and Mildred Wold.

Orion is survived by a sister, Iona Johnson of Cokato; his wife, Margaret-Lorraine; three children, Joni (John) Anker, Alan (Jo Ann) Hanson, and Rogene (Scott) Meriwether; nine grandchildren, Andrew (Katie), Jay, and Alissa Anker, Ben, Heidi, Chris, and Jennifer Hanson, and Courtney, and Dustin Meriwether; and one great-grandchild, Ava Anker.

 Funeral service was Saturday, March 22 at 2 p.m. at Stockholm Lutheran Church, rural Cokato, with the Rev. Mark Little officiating. Music was provided by Karen Anderson, Curtis Gruendahl, and Doug Lundeen. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Casket bearers were Ben Hanson, Dustin Meriwether, Jay Anker, Chris Hanson, Dennis Johnson, and Mike Winge. Honorary casket bearers were Andrew Anker, Courtney Meriwether, Heidi Hanson, Jennifer Hanson, and Alissa Anker.

Arrangements were by the Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato.

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