William Hanson

1949 - 2025

MASON CITY, Iowa - William Harry Hanson, 76, went home to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 9, 2025, in Mason City.
William, "Bill," was born Feb. 16, 1949, in Bradford, Pa., to Nancy Tanesky (Hanson). He was a 1967 graduate of Bradford High School. Following graduation, Bill joined the U.S. Air Force and wed his high school sweetheart, Ellen Jane Pollock. Bill served 7 years in the service with his lovely wife. He spent that time in Monterey, Calif., and overseas in Okinawa, Japan. Bill and Ellen were wed June 20, 1970, in McKean County, Pa. They recently celebrated their 54th anniversary. After his military career, Bill was led to Clear Lake, Iowa, for a new career opportunity. He spent almost 27 years as an agent for American Family Insurance. Later in his career, he truly enjoyed his days driving a truck for Sara Lee and as a bus driver for the city.
It was after their move to Iowa that Bill and Ellen came to know the Lord and became members of Clear Lake Baptist Church. More recently, Bill was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Mason City.
Bill was an avid lover of golf, tennis, baseball and bowling. He also enjoyed cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and his home state Penn State Nittany Lions. He coached all three of his children at the baseball and softball diamonds. His children, along with their friends, fondly recall the many trips to Minneapolis to cheer on the Minnesota Twins. His grandchildren enjoyed spending time with him working on jigsaw puzzles. One of Bill's family traditions he passed down to his children and grandchildren was his homemade peanut butter fudge. Sunday family dinners of homemade pizza or tacos were a way he extended his love.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Nancy Tanesky; his sister, Judy Blanchard; and his grandfather, Harry Hanson, who was a father figure to him.
Bill is survived by his wife, Ellen, of Mason City; sons, Matthew (Nadja) Hanson of Ames and Mark Hanson of King George, Va.; a daughter, Courtney (Greg) Rathbone of Mason City; his uncle, Jay (Phyllis) Hanson of Buffalo, N.Y.; siblings, Kathy (Robert) Willover of Allegany, N.Y., Terry (Jackie) Dusch of Bradford, Robert (Peg) Dusch of Dallas, N.C., and Joanne (Richard) Hedlund of Bradford; eight grandchildren, Carsten, Christina, Caleb, Mikayla, Kiersten, Brinley, Chanel and Cameron.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 21, 2025, at Faith Baptist Church, 1807 S. Kentucky Ave., with Pastor Tim Moore officiating. Interment will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be held an hour prior to service time at the church. Military honors will be conducted by the Mason City Veterans Association. Memorials may be directed to the family of Bill Hanson. Arrangements are with Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Online condolences may be left for the family at majorericksonfuneralhome.com.