26 May Gerald Hanson

Gerald (Jerry) E. Hanson, 81, of Bismarck, ND passed away May 23, 2023. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 30th at 1:00 pm at Bismarck Funeral Home and burial will be at 3:00 pm at North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Jerry was born on January 20th, 1942 in Fargo, ND.  He grew up in Bismarck with parents Elmer and Helen Hanson and sisters Nancy and Beverly.  After attending Bismarck High School, Jerry joined the US Navy. He honorably served aboard the USS Midway during the Vietnam War where he received the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal.  Upon completion of his tour of duty he returned home and worked for the North Dakota State Penitentiary for many years before finally settling into a certified nursing assistant position at Enable, INC. where he worked tirelessly until May 15th, 2023.

Jerry had many interests but he especially enjoyed spending time with his dog Buddy, his loyal companion. Together they loved taking long quiet evening walks. His hobbies included fishing and canoeing and that’s often where you could find him on a sunny summer day with his thermos of hot coffee! He engaged in community service by being a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. He loved his music having been a DJ on the USS Midway and he owned an extensive collection of classic rock.

Jerry is survived by his daughter, Cori Letter (Green Bay WI), granddaughters, Amber Strebe (Rick) (Seymour, WI) and Chelsea Velie (Nick) (Manawa, WI), great grandchildren Parker Shepard, Gavin and Weston Strebe, and Barrett Velie.  His sister Nancy Nash (Dwight), Haines, AK, niece Mari Lyn Clark-Longshaw (Adrian) (Bismarck,ND),nephew Gary Cline (Sharon) (Bismarck, ND).

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Helen Hanson, Bismarck, ND, and sister Beverly Jean Clark, Bismarck, ND.