Dennis Hanson

Dennis Joel Hanson, age 73, passed away at Redwood Memorial Hospital, in Fortuna, Calif., on Dec. 08, with family by his side.  Fortunately, his challenge with this sudden terminal illness was met with brevity, grace and endless support from many that loved and cherished him.

Dennis was born May 20, 1941, in Jefferson, Iowa to Charles (Darwin) Hanson and Ruth Overvig Hanson.  After graduation from Jefferson High School in 1959, he attended the University of Northern Iowa on a football scholarship, graduating with a teaching credential in 1964.  Dennis earned his Masters Degree in School Administration from California State University, Sacramento in 1976.

A loving son, father, husband, brother, papa, grandpa, coach, mentor and friend – we will miss him dearly and we are comforted knowing that he is with us forever.

He was devoted to and passionate about family, education, fishing, hunting, friendship and students of every age.  Dennis left an indelible impression on every life he touched.

His career as an educator spanned 50 years beginning in 1964 as a teacher and coach at Rio Tierra Junior High School in Sacramento. In 1968 he accepted a position at Elk Grove High School where he taught multiple subjects while coaching championship varsity football and baseball teams and becoming Dean of Students in 1974. In 1980, he and his family moved to Fortuna, CA, where he had accepted the position of Principal at East High School, followed by being Principal of Fortuna High School and then District Superintendent. Dennis taught several courses at Humboldt State University’s Education Administration program. Post-retirement, Dennis began his private consulting proprietorship, Fundamental Solutions, which gave him continued opportunities to be connected to education in a way he believed truly mattered most - working with at-risk children.

An avid sportsman, Dennis spent the first 20 years of life hunting and fishing the wooded rivers, lakes and streams in Iowa.  The next 53 years, he hunted California waterfowl and deer.  He spent long hours tying and casting flies into every river, brook and stream in Northern California.  In 2005 got his first real taste of heaven - ocean fishing for salmon and halibut. He taught his grandsons and other youngsters the art of successful ocean fishing. Dennis also enjoyed reading, cooking for his family, Sunday football and the San Francisco Giants.

Preceded in death by his parents, Dennis is survived by his first wife Deanna Siglin Hanson and daughters, Kris Hanson (wife Debbie Dinelli), Shari Kautzky (husband Tas Kautzky), and daughter Morgan Hanson (Arin McBlaine) along with Morgan’s mother, Sherry Hanson, and grandsons Owen and Ben Kautzky and Quentin McBlaine.  Dennis leaves behind his wife, Susan LeRoy-Hanson and her children and grandchildren.  He is also survived by his sister Linda Hanson Murphy of Georgia (husband Danny), nephew and niece Jeff and Julie Barling.  

Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, can be made to Dr. Michael Fratkin’s Palliative Care Team (resolutioncare.com), the Dennis Hanson Memorial Scholarship Fund at Fortuna High School, or the charity of your choice.

Dennis wished to be cremated with his ashes spread in the ocean he loved so much.  A Celebration of Life will be held in Fortuna, CA on January 31, 2015.