Les Hanson

Les Hanson, 90 of Viborg, passed away on July 4, 2025 at the Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home, Viborg. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, July 11, 2025 at the Chancellor Reformed Church, Chancellor. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 PM Thursday, July 10, at the church. Arrangements provided by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home. The service will be broadcasted on his obituary page.

Leslie (Les) Leonard Hanson passed away peacefully on July 4, 2025 at Pioneer Haven in Viborg, SD. Les was born in Menno, SD on September 7, 1934, to Leonard and Esther Hanson. He grew up in the Viborg area and graduated from Viborg High School in 1952. He attended college in Springfield, SD for two years. While in college he met Phyllis Vanderlei and they were married on June 10, 1955 in Springfield, SD.

They started their married life living in a small house in rural Viborg. Les worked at Johnson Motors in Viborg until he started farming in the Centerpoint area and then in 1965 the family moved to the farm in rural Viborg and Les and Phyllis remained there until January 2025. Les had a dairy farm operation until 1986. He then worked at Billion Motors for a number of years and then at JC Penny in Sioux Falls, SD.

He was a faithful Christian and attended Viborg Church of the Nazarene throughout his childhood and adulthood until 1986 when he and Phyllis became members of Chancellor Reformed Church. He was always an active member serving on Consistory at the church as well as serving on the pastoral search committee and teaching Sunday School. He was also a longtime active member in the Viborg and Turner County community. He served on the Swan Lake Township Board for 60 years, was a board member at the Southeastern Electric Cooperative for many years and was elected to the Viborg School Board for a number of years.

Les and Phyllis recently celebrated 70 years of marriage and were blessed with 5 children. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and was so proud of them and was sure to brag about each of them and what they were doing to anyone he talked to. He lived a full life having the opportunity to travel, enjoy visits with family and extended family all while serving his Lord and community.

He is survived by his wife Phyllis Hanson; Five children, Wendall (Lori) Hanson, Brian Hanson, Loren (Kari) Hanson, Dennis (Christina) Hanson and Benita (Jeff) Meyer; Twelve grandchildren, Lyle Hanson, Autumn (Justin) Keel and their children Caleb, Camille and Carissa, Amber (Jeremy) Knutson and their daughters Cassia and Eliora, Austin (Jenny) Hanson and their daughters Charlie and Amelia, Ashley (Jared) Voog and their daughters Hayley, Isabella and Aspen, Emily (Reece) Evans and their children Shea, Gwen, Leif and Ivy, Landon (Angie) Hanson and their sons Liam, Coen and August, Catrina (Will) Price and their children Johnny, Kaden, Cailei, Brelynn, and Dominic, Carrie (Casey) Varick and their children CaseyLee and Clara, Winnie Meyer, Bailey Meyer and Braden Meyer; One sister Betty Daily; One sister-in-law Janice (Dale VanGerpen); One brother-in-law Michel Whittenberg along with many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Esther Hanson, sister, Janet Whittenberg, brother-in-law Robert Daily, sister-in-law Jessie DeJong and brother-in-law Clarence Vanderlei.