Please note that we are posting this obituary as a courtesy to the Hanson family in Rapid City, SD, and Kirk Funeral Home in Sturgis, SD.

Memorial Tribute for Ronald “Ron” Hanson                                                                                                                                                         November 10, 1936 – April 22, 2026 (he was 89)

Ronald “Ron” Hanson lived a life defined by resilience, curiosity, hard work, friendships, learning, and adventure. From humble beginnings during the Great Depression, he went on to have a long and impactful career in education and public service.

Ron was born on November 10, 1936, in Missoula, Montana, to Russell and Clara Hanson. He was a big brother to his younger sister, Janice. Their early family life reflected the hardships of the time. They lived in an old railroad boxcar—an upgrade from a broken-down car body that had served as their first home. His parents worked tirelessly, picking huckleberries and making do with very little. Family stories recall that Ron’s first crib was a wooden apple crate, a testament to the resourcefulness and grit that shaped his upbringing.

Russell and Clara were devoted members of the Lutheran (WELS) Church, where Ron was baptized as an infant and later confirmed as a young adult.

During World War II, Ron’s family moved frequently as his father worked for the government. They eventually settled in Netarts, Oregon, near a military blimp hangar, where his father served as the lead foreman of Door Construction. As a young boy, Ron’s curiosity once got the better of him when he wandered onto a restricted beach during wartime. A guard dog—and later both a soldier and his father—quickly ensured he would not repeat the adventure. It was one of many stories that illustrated both his spirited nature and the lessons that helped shape him.

After the war, the family moved to Morristown, South Dakota, where his father purchased a building and established Hanson’s General Store. They also operated a farm. Ron attended school in nearby McIntosh, graduating in 1954. In high school, he was active and well-rounded, participating in football, basketball, track, band, glee club, and school publications. Known as “Ron” to friends, he was involved in class plays and even served as a librarian, reflecting both his energy and intellectual curiosity.

Ron pursued higher education at Northern State College in Aberdeen, earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. He began what would become a lifelong career in teaching and school leadership. He taught chemistry, general science, algebra, and American government, and led driver’s education programs—where his well-known love of driving found a practical outlet. Over time, Ron became a principal, business administrator, and later a superintendent, serving communities including Roscoe, Rosebud, Mission, Redfield, and La Plant, South Dakota, where he received an award from the Tiospaye Tupa Indian School.

Those who knew Ron as an educator remember him as dedicated, knowledgeable, and forward-thinking. He was a tough but highly respected teacher, demanding much from his students while always being fair. He embraced new teaching tools and emphasized hands-on learning, particularly in science. He also served as a senior class advisor, guiding students not only academically but personally. His influence extended far beyond the classroom.

Ron’s life outside of work was equally active. As a young man, he developed a passion for driving when his parents bought him a dump truck at age 17. That passion never left him—he was known as an excellent driver and was often the trusted one behind the wheel among friends and with parents’ full approval.

He married Eldena Miller in 1959, and together they had two children, Lauri and Randall. Their life together was rooted in family and a shared purpose in education. They created lasting memories through summer travel, animals at their acreage and time at their river cabin near Gettysburg, where Ron enjoyed fishing and reading—two of his favorite pastimes.

Ron’s interests were wide-ranging and adventurous. He became a licensed pilot and loved flying. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, boating, and motorcycling. He was an avid reader and a history buff. His curiosity about the world led him to travel extensively throughout his life. He took memorable trips, including a once-in-a-lifetime fly-in fishing adventure to Cree Lake Lodge. He explored the Baja Peninsula, rode portions of the Baja 500 route, and spent time in Mexico boating and adventuring with friends.

Ron also had an entrepreneurial spirit. Like his father, he pursued business ventures, including part ownership in a milking operation in Mission and a fast-food restaurant in Redfield. He was a long-time member of both the Lions and Elks Clubs. He also served his community as a deputized sheriff in Mission, reflecting his willingness to take on roles of responsibility and service.

In 1989, after 30 years of marriage, Ron and Eldena divorced. Later in life, Ron retired but remained active. He became an independent certified CDL licensing examiner, which took him all over the state testing drivers. He lived in Rapid City, SD, and spent winters in Yuma, Arizona. It was in Yuma that he met Shirley Jean Rhodes, who would become his second wife and companion until his time of death. She was his ever present “nurse” and care giver through years of health challenges including home hospice at the very end. She was at his bedside when he passed. They began dating in 2003 and were married on August 14, 2016, sharing 23 years together.

Ron and Jean’s years together were filled with remarkable adventures. They enjoyed a Vikings Grand European tour along the Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers; an ocean cruise from California through the Panama Canal to Miami; and another from New Orleans to Belize and Costa Rica. They took an Alaska cruise and road trip, participated in a camper caravan and train journey through Mexico’s Copper Canyon, and explored Alaska and Canada by road. They also spent time on Pine Island and in the Florida Keys, along with many additional camping and motorcycle trips. Together, they shared a deep love of travel—by car, plane, motorcycle, and water—continually seeking new experiences.

Ron is survived by his sister, Janice Tomhave; his wife, Shirley Jean Hanson; his son Randall (Stacey) Hanson and their children Jacob (Katy) Hanson and Riley (Mary) Hanson; and his daughter Lauri (Wayne) Shultis and their children Jason (Tarin) Shultis and Jessica (Jake) Pearcy, along with two great-grandchildren and three on the way.

Ron also embraced Jean’s family as his own. He is survived by Jean’s children, Timothy Rhodes and Vicky (Robert) Braun. Their extended family, including Timothy’s children—Julia (Sam) Baily, Rebecca Rhodes, Sarah (Charley) Williams, Luke Rhodes (partner Ciara Lehman), Noah Rhodes, and Caleb (Jordan) Rhodes—as well as Vicky’s children, Denis Rhodes (partner Shari Drolet) and Shalana Clark. Jean also has 14 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren.

Ron will be remembered for his intelligence, his teaching abilities, his storytelling, and his sense of adventure. He was a man who embraced experiences—whether teaching in a classroom, flying in the open sky, traveling new roads, reading history and biography’s or casting a line into the waters.

His legacy lives on in the countless students he taught, the communities he served, and the family who carry forward his spirit of curiosity, resilience, lifelong learning and adventures.

He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

A small family gathering was held at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City, where Pastor Riley Hanson shared scripture and led a time of prayer. In accordance with his wishes Ron was cremated at Kirk Funeral Home in Sturgis. No additional services are planned currently. Cards of memory and encouragement may be sent to Jean Hanson, 4157 Augusta Drive, Rapid City, SD 57703.