Wallace Leonard Hanson

Wallace “Wally” Leonard Hanson

Age 97 of Vadnais Heights, Minnesota

Born in Waseca, Minnesota

Welcomed into the arms of our Lord and Savior on May 18, 2025.

Preceded in death by loving wife of 66 years, Doris; parents Leonard and Esther; siblings Loren, Donald and Marjorie. Survived by daughters Jean Hanson (Mary Gearin), Judy (Mike) Kelly, Janet (Joe) DeGidio; grandchildren Shawn Kelly, Erin (Jacob) Olafson; great-grandchildren Will, Gavin and Baby O; sister LaDonna; and many other family and friends. Wally grew up in rural southern Minnesota, graduating from New Richland High School in 1945. He enlisted in the US Army, serving from October 1946 to March 1948. He attended both Augsburg and Macalester Colleges, taught elementary education, then was a social worker with Hennepin County, retiring in March 1989. He raised his family in South Minneapolis, where he was a long-time member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. He moved with Doris in 1998 to Vadnais Heights, joining Redeemer Lutheran Church a few years later. He loved photography, playing the piano and organ, singing in the St. Luke’s choir, telling jokes, and spending time with family and friends at their cabin in Crosslake, Minnesota. He was a man of deep faith, and a dedicated volunteer for his church and community. In his golden years, Wally especially loved baking, making greeting cards, playing games and being a social butterfly.