Richard Simon Hanson

Richard Simon Hanson, age 93, passed away on Sept. 23, 2024, at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, Wisconsin.

He asked that his cremated remains would join the remains of his wife and son in a small graveyard in Wisconsin, near where he grew up. A memorial service in Decorah, Iowa, will be arranged later.

“Simon,” his preferred name, was born on February 8, 1931, in Minneapolis, MN to Simon Elisha Barzillai Hanson and Ina Lerene Hanson. He grew up on a dairy farm where he worked with his father. He fondly recounted outdoor life on and around the farm with treks to the nearby river. As the oldest of ten, he entertained his younger siblings, often with a bit of play acting, singing and playing musical instruments. He was always the performer!

Simon fondly recalled the excellent education he received at country schools followed by his graduation from Baldwin High School, Baldwin, WI in 1949. He received a BA in music with minors in Greek and German from Luther College in 1953. Upon graduation, he studied at the Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota while also using his musical training to work as a soloist, and as a choir director at churches in the city, on top of giving voice lessons to fellow seminarians.

While studying at the seminary he met Rita Anna Sumbs, a nursing student, in 1953. They were engaged in late May of 1954 and married September 2, 1954 in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota. In 1956 they moved to International Falls, MN where Simon completed his seminary internship in a church while Rita worked as a surgical nurse.

After graduating from seminary, he stayed on to earn a master’s degree in Old Testament studies, while also teaching Hebrew and other classes at the seminary and serving as a pastor at St. Timothy Luther Church in St. Paul. Rita continued nursing. In 1960 he began his graduate studies at Harvard University, where he earned a Ph.D. in Ancient Near Eastern Languages and Literature in 1963. That fall Simon started a long career as a professor of “religion” at Luther College. The first year of this transition was especially difficult for the family when Simon and Rita lost their third son, Reuben Ludvic Hanson, in a car accident two weeks after his first birthday in 1964. During the late 1960’s and 1970’s he worked as an archaeologist in northern Galilee of Israel, translating inscriptions and identifying ancient coins.

Simon’s wife was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in her late 40’s, and eventually endured complications from a second round of brain surgery intended to slow its progression. Simon devoted himself to her care at home and shortly after retired from his academic career in 1999. He continued to care for after she moved to Aase Haugen Nursing Home in 2004 until she passed in 2009. He then volunteered as a Hospice worker and chaplain at Aase Haugen Home until 2023. Simon’s passions included storytelling,

theatre, music, art, reading, poetry, writing, and, especially, entertaining children. His greatest source of meaning was supporting the people in all the communities he touched.

In September 2023 Simon moved to an independent living facility in Stoughton, WI declaring that he wished to spend this the rest of his time with family. The family spent this short chapter of his life taking him on local “adventures” to explore Wisconsin scenery and food.

Simon will forever be remembered by his children Rebecca (Hanson) Berman, Randall Hanson and Rodney Hanson, and his grandchildren Reuben Berman, Nyssa Berman, Alli Hanson, Malcom Hanson, Aydan Hanson and Hannah Hanson. He is survived by his younger siblings Dawn Stein, Susan Liddums, Daniel Hanson, David Hanson, Kalle Gilles, and Ted Hanson. He was preceded in death by his wife Rita, his son Reuben, and three siblings Jeanine, Marjorie and Sandra.

The family extends our sincere gratitude to the caring staff of Skaalen Heights in Stoughton WI, the palliative care team at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison WI and all the staff at Agrace Hospice who were able to find a way to provide our father with comfort amidst the significant challenge of his final journey.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Nature Conservancy or Seed Savers in Decorah IA. Cards and letters can be sent to Rodney Hanson, 2380 Woodland Rd., McFarland WI 53558