Carl Francis Hanson

Carl F. (Francis) Hanson, Jr. was born January 14, 1928, to Carl F. (Frederick) Hanson and Johannah Susannah (Berndt) Hanson at Mcallister, Kansas. He was baptized on January 29, 1928, and confirmed August 25, 1940, at Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church near his home. He attended his early years of education at rural Pleasant Valley School transferring to Winona Public School for high school. He graduated in May 1945.

Carl was drafted into the U.S. Army on February 27, 1951, during the Korean Conflict, making it to the rank of Supply Sergeant with the 29th Signal Company stationed in West Germany. He considered taking officer training classes and making the Army his career but chose instead to come back to work alongside his father on the family’s Logan County ranch. He was honorably discharged January 4, 1954.

Throughout his military service, Carl corresponded with a young Gloria Manke. They met through various church youth group activities, and married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ellinwood, Kansas on November 20, 1954. They made their home less than a quarter mile from where Carl was born and raised, and the Lord blessed their union with three children: Jenece, Carla Jo and Mark.

After Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church closed, Carl and Gloria transferred their membership to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Oakley, Kansas. Carl served in many positions within the congregation, concluding his service as congregational president for many years.

Carl was active in the community as well. He served on the township board, as a project and club leader in 4-H, on the Triplains School Board, and was elected Logan County Commissioner, serving from 1984 to 1992. The Hanson Ranch was also recognized by the Kansas Hereford Association for their commercial breeding program.

Carl’s hobbies included woodworking and gardening. He made many pieces of furniture for the family. His gardens were his place to relax in the evenings during spring and summer. He enjoyed traveling, taking a number of bus tours and cruises, often with family and friends. Carl deeply cared about his neighbors and family and always enjoyed their company. Talking him into playing a game of pinochle was never a fight.

Carl never flinched at hard work, putting in decades of sweat equity into the Hanson Ranch. As his strength waned, Carl and Gloria moved to Fairview Estates in Colby, Kansas, his first time living beyond the ranch since his military service.

On the evening of March 26, 2026, the Lord who claimed Carl in baptism and treasured him every day since called Carl home to his eternal inheritance after more than 98 years of earthly life. Offering Carl heaven’s welcome were the risen Lord Jesus Christ and all His saints, including Carl’s parents; his sisters, Lorene and Johannah; two sons-in-law, David Brakhage and Glenn Mitchell; as well as two grandsons, DJ Noyes and Charlie Peebles.

Mourning his passing with resurrection hope are his wife of 71½ years, Gloria; his children, Jenece Mitchell of Garden City, Carla Jo (Mike) Peebles of Harvest, Alabama, and Mark (Jill) Hanson of rural Logan County; his five grandchildren, their spouses and six great grandsons: Joshua (Suzy) Brakhage, Graham, Luke and Ezra of Edmond, Oklahoma; Cami Brakhage of Little Rock, Arkansas; Anna (Ty) Blackwell of Huntsville, Alabama; Skylar (Kristen) Hanson, Brooks, Joel and Kohen of Winona; and Brianna Hanson of Oakley. Mark and Skylar continue the heritage of the Hanson Ranch.

Today, as Carl enjoys the gathering of his heavenly family, he also joins the saints in awaiting the glorious return of Christ, and the resurrection of all flesh. We, too, live in hope in the words of Jesus, who proclaims, "because I live, you will live also."

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Monday, April 6, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Oakley. The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, 2026, also at Immanuel Lutheran Church, with burial in the Russell Springs Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church and mailed in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com