Hanson, Lee Allen age 90, of Minnetonka, the 9th of 10 children born to Sigurd L. and Christine A. Hanson. Lee was raised on the family farm in Clark, SD, and after graduating high school in 1949, he served in the US Army from 1951 to 1954, including a combat tour in Korea. Upon return to the US, Lee enrolled at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City. He earned a degree in civil engineering in 1957 and moved to Minnesota. For the next 47 years, Lee worked for engineering firms in both Minneapolis and Hibbing, including Ellerbe Architects of St. Paul, Arthur G. McKee and A.W. Matthews of Hibbing, Spancrete in Osseo, and Barr Engineering of Minneapolis, before retiring in 2005. Lee was a life member of the Triangle Fraternity, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, and the Korean War Veterans' Association. Lee had two true loves. He married his high school sweetheart, Regina A. Geise in 1952. Lee and Gina soon began raising five children. After Regina's death, Lee married Helen M. Connors in 1979, bringing together a messy but loving family of 10 kids and their families. Lee and Helen remained together until Helen's death in 2014. If you ask anyone who knew Lee - for 10 minutes or 90 years - how to describe him, the first word would be gentleman. He was kind and loving with an infectious smile. From his first years on the farm, to his professional days as an engineer, to his retirement years tinkering in his woodshop, Lee loved to help his family, friends, and neighbors with projects. He started the mornings on his front patio with coffee to greet all the neighbors and ended his evenings on the back patio with a beer to share dinner with family. We will all treasure our memories of this man of character and honor. Throughout his life he maintained a strong religious faith and was a parishioner of The Church of St. Therese of Deephaven beginning in 1968. Lee devoted his retirement years to serving his neighbors as resident handyman and president of the homeowners' association. He volunteered his time, talents, and treasure to St. Therese church including the choir, men's golf, the morning mass group, Loaves & Fishes, Cursillo and many bible studies, and he lent his considerable expertise to the first playground in the early '70s and the community room in the late '90s. Lee is survived by his sister, Arlene Bird, of Toronto, South Dakota, as well as 9 children - Russell, Bloomington, IN; Connie, Bloomington, IN; Scott, Perham, MN; Kathleen (Joseph) Dewey, Mahnomen, MN; Susan (Pierre Callies) Connors, MN; Michael Connors, MN; Colleen (James) Dockendorf, Chanhassen, MN; Michael (Traci), Minnetonka, MN; Thomas (Karen), Platte City, MO; Kristen (Jeffrey) Hammerstrom Sioux City, IA, as well as 22 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wives, 6 brothers, 3 sisters, and his stepson, William Connors. The family thanks the team at Allina Hospice, Assisting Hands, and the VA. Private mass and interment. Memorials preferred to donor's choice.

Published on September 20, 2020