Hanson, Ronald Eugene

Ronald Eugene Hanson, age 80 of Hollandale, died late Sunday evening, January 5, 2025 at Monroe Health Services in Monroe.  He was born in Dodgeville on November 9, 1944 to Norman LeRoy and Phyllis Leone (Anderson) Hanson and spent his childhood in Hollandale.  He attended Hollandale grade school where he played sports, and in 8th grade was a member of the 1958 Iowa County basketball championship team.  In high school he worked at his grandfather’s feed mill.  

After graduating from Hollandale High School in 1962, Ron served in the Air Force from 1963-1967.  He was stationed in Okinawa, Homestead Air Force Base in Florida, and spent a year in Germany.  He was also part of a takedown crew in France and had many opportunities to tour Europe.  Following his discharge, he attended the University of Wisconsin–Platteville where he served as an officer in the Veteran’s Alumni Club and graduated in 1971.  He worked as an underwriter at American Family Insurance for 5 years and worked for 18 years at the Pecatonica Lanes bowling alley which he built with his father and siblings.  Ron spent 12 years as an administrator for the United States Postal Service in Madison.  He assisted the Hollandale Fire Department for many years and was a past member.  He was a member of the Olaf Martinson American Legion Post and was a member of New Hope Lutheran Church in Hollandale.

Ron was an exceptional bowler, achieving multiple perfect 300 games throughout his life. He loved scenic drives through the countryside and made a daily ritual of starting his mornings with breakfast at the Viking Cafe in Blanchardville, where he enjoyed visiting with the other regulars. Afterward, he'd continue his route, stopping at local spots to buy his daily lottery tickets. 

Ron is survived by a brother, Norman E. (Jane) Hanson of Madison; two sisters, Diane (Stephanie Eveland) Hanson of Elkhorn and Donna Arneson of Hollandale; nieces Paula Hanson (Al) Zimmerman, Jody Garthwaite (Jason) Moen, and Ashley Arneson (Jon) Keough; nephews Scott Garthwaite and Jeff (Ashli) Garthwaite; 15 great-nieces and nephews, several cousins, and his beloved cat Hannah.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Dale (who passed away in 2022), his infant brother Donald, and his nephew Jamie Hanson.

A visitation for Ron will be held on Sunday, January 12, 2025 from 3:00 until 6:00 PM at Blanchard Hall at 204 South Main Street in Blanchardville, and also Monday, January 13, 2025 from 10:00 until 11:00 AM at New Hope Lutheran in Hollandale.  A funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM at the church.  Rev. Chris Strohm will officiate.  Burial will be in the Hollandale Cemetery with graveside veteran’s honors by the Olaf Martinson American Legion Post.  Memorials are suggested to the Olaf Martinson American Legion Post or the Iowa County Humane Society. Saether Funeral Service of Blanchardville is assisting the family.  Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at saetherfuneralservice.com and on the Saether Funeral Service Facebook page.