Dale Russell Hanson

Dale Russell Hanson, age 69 of Hollandale, passed from this earthly life on June 27, 2022 at Meriter Hospital in Madison as a result of complications from surgery. Dale was born on July 31, 1952 in Dodgeville, Wisconsin to Norman L. and Phyllis (Anderson) Hanson.

Dale graduated from Hollandale High School in 1970. He attended college in Platteville for a year before starting a job at AMPI. He was later employed by John Wick Homes in Mazomanie. He then worked at Pecatonica Lanes, the business his family built in rural Hollandale. He also was a volunteer member of the Hollandale Fire Department for five years. In 1990, he was hired by the Barneveld School District where he served as a dedicated and proud employee in many roles over the past 32 years until his passing, including bus driver, custodian, and head of maintenance. Dale loved his job and the students and colleagues who became his friends.

Dale had a quick wit and a great sense of humor. He was one of the good guys in life and was loved by so many. He enjoyed lemon meringue pie, playing cards every Sunday with his buddies, and stopping daily to visit at the local gas station where he picked up his coffee and lottery tickets. He loved to mow lawns and plow snow at the school and for others.

Dale is survived by brothers Norman E. (Jane) Hanson of Madison and Ron Hanson of Hollandale; 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 Garthwaite; 15 great-nieces and nephews, several cousins, and uncle Bill Whitford. He was affectionately referred to as “Uncle Dirtball” by two of his nieces, who he, in turn, called “little dirtballs”. Dale also leaves behind his special friends and band of brothers, Duane Elfering, Ray Rickert, and Steve Foster.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his infant brother Donald Lee, and his nephew Jamie Hanson.

A visitation will be held at Barneveld High School new gymnasium on Sunday, July 10 from 1 to 5 p.m. Please enter in the main school entrance.  A celebration of life will also be held for Dale on Sunday, July 31 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Stroz Inn in Hollandale. This would have been Dale’s 70th birthday. Please bring your memories of Dale to share.  Saether Funeral Service of Blanchardville is assisting the family.  Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at saetherfuneralservice.com.

As per Dale's wishes, memorials can be given to the family to put toward an annual scholarship at Barneveld High School in his memory, to Shriners Hospitals for Children, and to the Jodi Lou Lung Cancer Foundation.

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