Obit: Hanson, Earl L. (1910 - 1983)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hanson, Francen, Juntunen, Opelt, Smith, Matsch, Erickson, Sprague, Clark

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/19/1983

Hanson, Earl L. (24 March 1910 – 16 May 1983)

Earl L. Hanson, 73, a longtime area cheesemaker, passed away on Monday afternoon, May 16. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Neillsville Memorial Hospital after being taken from his Town of Levis home.

Hanson was born on March 24, 1910, in Ontario (Vernon County) to Henry and Clara (Francen) Hanson. As a small boy, he moved with his parents to Curtiss and was educated there. He then worked as a cheesemaker in the Curtiss area for many years. On June 10, 1936, he married Elsie Juntunen in Curtiss ceremonies.

In 1944, the couple moved to the Shortville area where he owned and operated a cheese factory for several years. He then worked at the Neillsville Condensary for several years and then was employed by Rollahome of Marshfield until retiring.

Surviving him, besides his wife, are three daughters, Mrs. William (Janice) Opelt of Neillsville, Mrs. Arnold (Evonne) Smith of Eau Claire and Mrs. Sandra Matsch of Newport, Minnesota; two sisters, Mrs. Ruth Erickson of Curtiss and Mrs. Robert (Mae) Sprague of Hammondsport, NY; a brother, Palmer, Washington state; 16 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents, Two sons, Gerald and William and three brothers.

Funeral services wee to be held today (Thursday, May 19) at 10:30 a.m. from the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. The Rev. Gary Clark of the United Church of Christ was to officiate. Burial was set for St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Curtiss. (Visitations were announced for Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. and on Thursday morning until time of service.)