Glennis 'Glen' Hanson

Glennis ‘Glen’ Hanson

August 12, 1933 ~ September 8, 2021

Glennis Norman Douglas ‘Glen’ Hanson, son of Peter and Elena (Borsheim) Hanson, was born on August 12, 1933, at the family farm near Dollard, Saskatchewan and went home to be with the Lord on September 8, 2021, with his family around him at Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Glen’s father passed away when he was a young boy at the age of six.  Despite the challenges of life in the wake of the depression without a father, Glen always said his childhood was joyful.  Elena’s sister, Ellen, selflessly moved in with the family to help care for Glen and his siblings and give them a happy childhood.  Glen knew he was blessed to grow up in a close-knit community where family and friends looked out for each other.  He attended Brownville School and White Valley Lutheran Church.

As a young man he moved off the farm to try his hand at logging and construction work in various locations.  He was proud to say he had a part in building the ski lodge at Mt. Norquay.  But the farm called him back home to Saskatchewan in the summer of 1958, when he and his brothers, Bud and Floyd, purchased the R.T. Stewart Ranch in the Cypress Hills.  He married his beautiful bride, Enid Folstad, on July 25, 1959, and took over the family farm near Dollard.  Together they had seven children, twenty-two grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Glen was the best father any child could hope to have and provided a loving and secure refuge for his children, numerous foster children, friends in need and even a hitch hiker he rescued from the side of the road.  He was a strict disciplinarian and believed in personal responsibility and a strong work ethic.  But he had a soft side and loved to laugh with his distinctive Hanson laugh.  Most of all, he loved the Lord Jesus and wanted his family to know and love Him too.

Throughout his life he was involved with many different charities and missions and was a founding member of both Southline Fellowship, which was instrumental in launching the Christian radio station KXEI in Havre, Montana,  and the Frenchman River Gospel Jamboree.

Glen was known for his beautiful bass voice and sang in a quartet with his brothers, Floyd, Sid and Pete with sister, Bernice on the piano.  Their rich harmonies were a favourite at the Frenchman River Gospel Jamboree, as well as various other venues including the Christian Cowboy church and the annual Cowboy Poetry gathering in Maple Creek.  They were often asked to provide comfort in song at funerals.  Glen also travelled occasionally with Olaf Friggstad and Vernon Thoring, ministering in various churches.

Glen was predeceased by his father, Peter; mother, Elena; brothers, Bud Hanson and Floyd Hanson; sisters, Gloria Hanson and Bernice Stewart; brother-in-law, John Stewart; sisters-in-law, Mary Hanson and Pat Hanson; son, Timothy Hanson and grandson, Jordan Hanson.  He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Enid Hanson; brothers, Sid Hanson and Pete (Anne) Hanson; children: Jon (Candice) Hanson, Liz (Joel) Christensen, Edythe (Gary) Babe, Warren (Krista) Hanson, Elaine (Lance) Anderson and Christina (Ken) Warkentin; grandchildren: Dawson (Hannah) Hanson, Shanay (Matthew) Deneault, TJ Christensen, Suzy (Barclay) Krause, Elise (Daniel) Warne, Alyssa (Cam) Trithardt, Joshua Babe, Caleb (Alexa) Babe, Garison Babe, Cassidy Babe, Jessikah Babe, Matthew Hanson, Madelyn Hanson, Joshua Hanson, Hannah Anderson, Jeris Anderson, Leif Anderson, Lianna (Gregory) Dion, Jesse Warkentin, Levi Warkentin, Kaitlin Warkentin and Luke Warkentin as well as his great-grandchildren:  Sullivan Krause, Scarlett Krause, Nora Babe, Freya Babe, Adelaide Warne, Keziah Hanson and Caleb Deneault.

A Graveside Celebration of Glen’s life will be held at the White Valley Cemetery on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at 2:00 p.m.  The Graveside Celebration will be live streamed through the Cook Southland website.  Those who cannot attend but wish to experience Glen’s service can visit Cook Southland’s website and select the View Broadcast button on the homepage at service time. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at www.cooksouthland.com)    Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, Crematorium & Reception Facility, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4V4.  Telephone:  403-527-6455 or toll free at:  1-877-528-6455.