Dale Hanson

Dale Forrest Hanson, known as “Papa” to his adoring children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, passed away early on the morning of November 11, 2024 in Kalkaska, Michigan. He was 88, and spent his final days in peace and comfort surrounded by his family. Dale was preceded in death by the love of his life, Nancy Lou (Mott) Hanson, and is survived by his children Ann Isola (Dan), John, Julie Schmidt (Trent), and Tom; his sisters-in-law Marilyn Gray and Barbara Hanson; his grandchildren Michael (Alyssa) and Matthew (Rachel) Isola, Forrest (Brittney) and Stephen Hanson, Natalie and Coleman Schmidt, and Carter, Ethan and Eliot Hanson; and his great grandchildren Chase Isola and Griffin Hanson.

Dale was born on January 3, 1936 to his mother Adeline (Adda) and father Forrest (FJ) in Saginaw, Michigan, where he grew up with his older brothers Rollie and Jack. By all accounts the three boys were a boisterous, active and mischievous bunch. Dale and his brothers took lifelong delight in relating tales such as “That time we talked Dale into being a target in our brick-throwing contest.”

Dale excelled at athletics as a youngster, ultimately captaining and quarterbacking the football team at Saginaw Arthur Hill High School. He briefly played on the freshman team at the University of Michigan, but decided that he would rather focus on his studies. His love for sports and competition never waned, however, as he skied, played golf and tennis and whiffle ball with his grandkids throughout his life. He was hands-down the best cribbage and euchre player in the family, still piling up the wins in the months before his death. He also coached a number of his kids’ little league teams, and took great delight in following the athletic, academic and artistic achievements of his children & grandchildren.

After graduating from Michigan, Dale began a 35-plus year career at General Motors. He and Nancy originally settled in Saginaw, where their children were born. As Dale worked his way up the corporate ladder, he was transferred to a job at the GM Building in Detroit so he and Nancy moved to Rochester Hills in 1974 where they created a wonderful life for their children and made lifelong friendships. They were known for being gracious hosts and entertainers. Their door was always open and their yard was the neighborhood favorite for baseball, football, kick the can, tether ball and sledding. In 1995 they built their retirement home on Torch Lake, moving there permanently in 1997, sharing their traditions and their love of the lake with extended family and friends. Dale was passionate about “leaving the world a better place for generations to come” and began volunteering for the Grass River Natural Area. He served as president for 3 years, and worked hard helping to preserve the land and waterways around Torch Lake. After Nancy’s death, Dale moved to Kalkaska Memorial Assisted Living where he became a staff favorite due to his unflinching decency and kindness.

Dale was a gentleman in all respects. He was not the loud guy in the room, but was an attentive and enthusiastic man who enjoyed a good conversation. He went out of his way to make people, even strangers, feel welcome. He wasn’t one to toot his own horn, but he was proud of his family, friends, and the life he lived. He was a selfless, kind, and gracious man and was respected and loved by all who knew him. He was a beacon of “common decency” in a time when it seems to be declining in supply, and he steadfastly maintained his commitment to the idea that we all can make a difference and that it’s important to “keep the faith”.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM at Church in the Hills, 6401 Shanty Creek Rd, Bellaire, MI and live-streamed at churchinthehills.org. There also be a Celebration of Life at Hanson’s Haf-Aker sometime next summer.

For those wishing to do so, donations may be made in Dale’s name to the Grass River Natural Area (grassriver.org), the Three Lakes Association (3lakes.com), or the Torch Lake Protection Alliance (tlpa.co).

Arrangements are in the care of the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign his online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com