Walter C. “Wally” Hanson, 71, of the town of Wescott, passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2014, at his property in Oconto County. Born on April 30, 1943, in Illinois, he was the son of the late Henry B. and Vivian M. (Dickelman) Hanson.
Wally grew up in Illinois and graduated from Chicago’s Fenger High School in 1961. He furthered his education with a full scholarship to Upper Iowa University. While there, he played center on the football team, a team that is now featured in the university’s Hall of Fame. He received his master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1970. After teaching in Zion, Ill., for three years, Wally moved to the Shawano area and taught at the Shawano High School for the next 30 years. He also coached the football team for 23 years, five of which were as the head football coach. Wally served as an assistant basketball coach for 12 years. After his years of teaching in Shawano, Wally taught at the College of the Menominee Nation until retiring in 2012.
On Dec. 20, 1980, Wally was united in marriage to Susan Koehler Giese in Shawano. Together, the couple enjoyed spending time at their home on Shawano Lake. Wally also enjoyed traveling, watching old movies, art and oil painting, gardening, history and science. He loved spending time with his family and was looking forward to their time together this summer. He was an active member of the Shawano Lake Golf Club. Wally Hanson was known to many throughout the Shawano community as a family member, friend, teacher and coach, and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Wally is survived by his wife of 33 years, Susan; his daughter, Christine K. (Dean) Fellman, of Shawano; two sons, Robert H. (Keri Giller) Hanson, of Washington, D.C., Derek D. (Tristan) Hanson, of Chicago; three grandchildren, Chelsea (fiancé, Michael Nehlsen) Fellman, Oliver Hanson, Audrey Hanson; a brother, Howard (Laura) Hanson, of Chicago; and his former wife, Judy Gourley, of Wausau.
Wally was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, James Hanson; and a sister, Janet Carlson.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, June 18, 2014, at the Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano with Mr. Richard Menning officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. and on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
A memorial fund has been established.
www.swedbergfuneralhome.com
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