Gordon Hanson

GORDON DENNY HANSON Coralville Gordon Denny Hanson, 88, passed away May 22, 2022. He was known as Denny to most, Mr. Hanson to his students, and Pa to his children, grandchildren and friends of his children. Denny was born April 25, 1934, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Glennys (nee Jensen) and Truman Hanson. He attended Arthur Elementary, Franklin High School, Coe College for undergraduate studies and the University of Iowa for his graduate degree. At Coe, he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and in retirement was member of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Iowa City. Throughout his life, he demonstrated a love for humanity, and a willingness to care for others, and a steadfast devotion to the next generation. Mr. Hanson was a high school science teacher for 38 years, including tenures at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids, Albert Lea Senior High, Albert Lea, Minn., Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu, Hawaii, and James Madison Memorial High School in Madison, Wis. His students were routinely accepted to some of America's finest colleges and excelled in college chemistry courses because of the outstanding education they received from "Mr. Hanson." Teaching high school is a nine-month endeavor, so Denny spent his summer months directing Ridgewood Pool in Madison, Wis. Under his watchful eye, several generations learned to swim, dozens earned collegiate scholarships in swimming and diving, and a few became national and world-record holders! He was also the first (and of course favorite) boss to the many swim instructors, lifeguards and pool employees he hired. Denny's time in Honolulu led to life-long friendships with many of fellow educators. They embraced the Hawai'ian culture, they partied in paradise and never forgot the friendships they forged during their early professional careers. His time in Madison was equally rewarding forging deep personal friendships with teaching colleagues, their spouses, neighbors, "pool people" and the many students that passed through his classroom. When Denny wasn't helping students learn chemistry and pursue their dreams, he took to paper and canvas and created a multitude of original works of art. His beautiful art adorns the walls of his children's and friend's homes, along with those of many an art-buyer. What his best friends know, is that Denny was a practical joker. Never malicious, but always mischievous, clever and fun. He had a prank for every season and occasion. For Denny, the only thing worse than being teased, was not being teased. Denny is survived by his wife of 65 years, Janette (nee Manny); his daughters, Kristin (Mark) Gonzalez of Bend, Ore., and Holly (Kurt) Bergman of Arvada, Colo.; and son, Justin (Tiffany) Hanson of Helena, Mont.; along with eight grandchildren, Ian (Karen) Straehley, Jensen (Catherine) Bergman, Cole Bergman, McKenna and Kylie Hanson, and Gabriel, Adrian and Sophia Gonzalez; sisters-in-law, Laverna Hanson and Mary O'Reilly; brother-in-law, John VanFleet; and many remarkable and loved nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Truman and Glennys; his siblings, Truman Richard Hanson, Greta Van Fleet and Donald David Hanson; and sister-in-law, Anita Barroncotta Hanson. In Denny's memory and in lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to his favorite causes. Ridgewood Pool rebuilding fund at www.EdNebbinsFoundation.org, St. Andrew Presbyterian Church or the Denmark Cemetery Association. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, at Lensing Oak Hill Funeral Service, 210 Holiday Rd., Coralville. Funeral services to celebrate Denny's life will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at Denmark Congregational United Church of Christ in Denmark, Iowa. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family would appreciate all guests to wear masks indoors. Online condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com.