ROY WILLIAM HANSON
Roy William Hanson, a devoted father and cherished friend, passed away Oct. 20, 2026, at the age of 84. Known for his gentle spirit and dry humor, Roy brought warmth, quiet wit, and joy to everyone he met.
Roy was born to Tilman and Mable Hanson Oct. 27, 1941, at home in rural Pigeon Falls. He was incredibly proud of his Norwegian heritage; he loved to speak a Norwegian greeting and watch people’s reactions to see if they knew what he said. Roy attended Whitehall Memorial High School, graduating with the class of 1960. Immediately following graduation, Roy enlisted in the Army Reserves. He went on to further his education at Chippewa Valley Technical School (CVTC), completing the Electrician program.
He spent his life working hard as both an electrician and a farmer. He worked alongside his father on the family farm as well as opening his own business, Roy Hanson Electric. His hard work and expertise were formally recognized by CVTC in 2010 when he received his Master Electrician designation. Roy was a well-known electrician across Jackson and Trempealeau counties, continuing to work right up until his passing. If you live in the greater Pigeon Falls area, it is highly likely “Roy Hanson” is written in permanent marker on your circuit breaker box.
The Hanson farm used Oliver tractors, and through the years, Roy not only used them to do field work but loved to buy, fix, and restore them. He loved to spot an old Oliver in the weeds somewhere and see if he could buy it for his next project. He could almost always be found on the Hanson Farm, spending hours working in the shop alongside Arn, Shay, and Gavin, where generations of Hanson men have taught and learned from each other how to fix and build almost anything.
An avid outdoorsman, Roy loved everything about hunting and fishing. In his earlier years, he spent his time coon hunting, and throughout his life, he loved scouting the perfect spot for his next deer stand and casting a line. He was also an active member of the York-Northfield Rod & Gun Club. He especially loved heading up North to get ready for bear hunting season; his bear hunting family was like a second family to
him, and he was truly in his element when outdoors with them.
Above all else, family was the most important thing to Roy. He loved nothing more than attending family functions, surrounding himself with the people he loved, and he was always happy to be photographed to capture those cherished moments together. He was very proud of Jackie and Arn and his 7 grandchildren, who brought immense joy to his life.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Tilman and Mable Hanson, and his brother-in-law, Everette
Herness.
His legacy lives on through his sister, Mary Jane Herness; his children, Arn Hanson (Kristina) and Jackie
Krszjzaniek (Jason); his three grandsons, Cole Hanson, Shay Hanson, and Gavin Hanson; his four granddaughters, Brielle Lien (Austin), Jayden Krszjzaniek (Jacob), Addison Hanson, and Liliana Hanson; his nephews, Eric (Kate) Herness, Todd (Cindy) Herness, Nels (Michelle) Herness, and their families; as
well as a multitude of close friends.
Visitation will be held Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon) at Peace Lutheran Church of Pigeon Falls. A funeral service will begin at 12 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, with a luncheon to follow immediately afterward. Interment will take place in the Pigeon Creek Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery.