Bruce L. Hanson

Bruce L. Hanson

1952 - 2025

Bruce Lloyd Hanson passed away peacefully at St. Mary's Essentia Hospital in Duluth on November 12, 2025.

Bruce was born in Windom, Minnesota to Lloyd and Blanche Hanson on October 7, 1952. He attended elementary school in Bergan, Minnesota before the family moved to their farm in Windom.

Following graduation from Windom High School, Bruce was drafted into the U.S. Army. He then pursued his Associates Degree from Mankato University. Bruce married Kathy Hall and began his family and a 42-year career with the MN Department of Transportation. He worked his way north – through Mankato and spent two decades in the Twin Cities Metro area. Bruce served as a Superintendent and was responsible for calling out hundreds of snow plows at the right time. He was legendary for lighting up a cigarette at the start of the storm to determine humidity and weather conditions from the burn of the tobacco. Bruce continued to move north and worked several years in the Little Falls, Baxter/Brainerd area. His MNDoT crew became family and he was instrumental in establishing the S.P.O.T. (Snow Plow Operator Training) program at Camp Ripley.

He lived in East Gull Lake and loved spending time on Gull Lake. After meeting and marrying Lori; they moved the pontoon to Pokegama waters and enjoyed several years living on the shore of the Mississippi River. Bruce loved the MN Twins and MN Vikings and was an avid NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) fan with season finals tickets for 25 years. He enjoyed golfing with 30 of his MNDoT buddies in Arizona in the middle of Snow & Ice Season. He was a member of the American Legion Post 1720. He served as secretary/treasurer for Minnesota Middle Management Association (MMA) for 20 years.

Bruce is survived by Lori, his sons, Darren of Cottage Grove, MN and Eric of Indianapolis, IN and by his friend and mother of his children, Kathy (Bob) Pohlman. His survivors include his sister, Pamela Hanson of Windom, MN and brother, Tracy Hanson of St. Cloud, MN. He is also survived by his lifelong friends who will be honorary pallbearers at his memorial service, Todd Fussey, Dan Antrim, Bill Fisher, Norm Ashfeldt, Kevin Young, Gary Kalash, Jeff Butson and their real leader, Judy Breyfogle.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Blanche and Lloyd and close friends, Keith and Margaret Jacobson and Cathy Ashfeldt.

A memorial service to honor Bruce will be held at 11:30 AM, Friday, November 21, 2025 in The Camp Ripley Memorial Chapel (Bldg 10-98), Little Falls, MN followed by interment with military honors in Camp Ripley Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls, MN. Reverend Maria Annoni, R.C.W.P. will preside at the service and committal service. A social will follow at the Main Gate Grill – across from Camp Ripley's main gate.

If you would like to honor Bruce, please support Veterans, Caregivers, and "Make Room for the Plow." When you face the storms of life, always remember what Bruce would say, "Hit it Hard, Hit it Early, and Don't Be Afraid To Be Salty."

Arrangements are with Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.