William Francis "Bill" Hanner

William "Bill" Francis Hanner

Age 98, passed away peacefully in his sleep November 25th, 2018. Bill was born March 5th, 1920, in St. Paul Park, MN, to Frank and Helen Hanner. Bill proudly served in three branches of the US Army during WWII: the 386th Signal Company; the 3rd Bomber Company; and the 106th Infantry at Bad Ems, Germany. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal on Feb. 23, 1946. Bill married his wife Marie on Feb. 17, 1947 in Webster, SD and they settled in St. Paul, MN. Bill worked at Ashland Oil refinery in St. Paul Park, MN, for many years, retiring from his position as Control Operator there in 1980. Bill and Marie retired to Horseshoe Lake in Minong, WI, and later moved to the village of Minong, where both resided until their passing. They enjoyed 61 years together. 

Bill bowled in a league in St. Paul Park and was a dedicated golfer until well into his 80s. He was an avid outdoorsman, hunter and fisherman, and he spent many happy hours in his vegetable garden. He was very active in the church, helping construct Calvary Lutheran in Minong, and later leading occasional lay services at New Hope Lutheran Church in Minong. Bill was a lifelong Vikings fan and loved to sing, tell stories and play card games. He enjoyed cooking homemade food to share at the Minong Senior Center, at church potlucks and at Minong's VFW Post 10625, which he helped found and where he held several offices.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife Marie Hanner; parents Frank and Helen; sisters Delilah, Lillian Marpe, Ella Doneshefsky and Dorthy Hammerschmidt; brothers George, Percy and Lee; son William C. "Billy" Hanner; and son-in-law Jeff Linna. Among those who survive and gratefully shared his life are his sister Shirley Birkholm of Eagan, MN; brother, Frank (Jeanne) of Blaine, MN; daughters Patricia Atsatt of Billings, MT, and Eva Linna of Cottage Grove, MN; six grandchildren; many great and great great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Bill's life will be celebrated during a memorial luncheon led by Pastor Jeff Vesta on Sunday, December 9 at noon at the Minong Senior Center, with reception starting at 11 a.m. The Senior Center is located at 700 Houston Ave, Minong, WI. Interment will take place on Monday, December 10 at 10 a.m. at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, N4063 Veterans Way, Spooner, WI. Flowers can be sent to Minong Senior center.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Disabled American Veterans, Department of Wisconsin at: Wisconsin DAV Transportation Network, DAV State Headquarters, 1253 Scheuring Road, Suite A, De Pere, WI 54115-1070 or on-line at www.dav-wi.org/donate-disabled-american-veterans.