James Hanson Obituary

James Bruce Hanson, age 83 of New Brighton, MN, peacefully passed away on February, 28, 2025. James (Jim) was born at his home in Hayward. WI on July 2, 1941.
Jim graduated from Hayward High School where he served as class president, president of the Lettermans' Club, and captain of the football, basketball and golf teams. Jim went on to the University of MN and graduated with a BS in Forestry. After graduation, he accepted a research position at the University of Wisconsin in forest entomology where he received his MS in entomology. He did his research in the Hayward area on an insect that causes brown streaks in maple and birch. He was able to document the biology and life history of the insect and potential controls. He went on to work for the USDA-Forest Service as a forester on the Huron-Manistee National Forest in MI, Forest entomologist in Delaware, Ohio, Pesticide specialist in Milwaukee, Wi and Forest Health Supervisor in St Paul, MN with a GS-14 Rank. He also graduated from the New York Institute of photography and the Winona school of professional photography and has a business management certificate from the University of MN. Many of his insect photographs can be seen on the insectimages.org website. During his career, he worked on a number of insect and tree pests including the gypsy moth, fall cankerworm, forest tent caterpillar, oak wilt and Dutch elm disease. Jim also did early field testing of Bacillus thuringensis a bacteria which is toxic to lepidoptous insects. He also was one of the early users of infrared photography to detect and evaluate pest problems remotely. Jim was chosen for several foreign assignments including New Zealand where he was co-author of a pest risk assessment for importing forest products to the US and Finland for a technology transfer exchange. He was proud of his mentoring of his employees helping them to further their education and advancement in the Forest Service.
Jim enjoyed traveling with his wife Mary visiting 15 countries, many islands in the Caribbean and all 50 states. Both golf enthusiasts, they played together in a couple's league as well as in over 15 states, Mexico and Barbados. Jim also played in the University of MN Men's golf club and a church league. He enjoyed going to Hayward to play at the Hayward Golf and Tennis club. He grew up in a home across from the 11th green where he used to sneak onto the golf course to play 3 holes by his house with his mother's wood shafted clubs. When not golfing, Jim could often be found fishing or deer hunting with his sons and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Algot and Jean Hanson and his brother Frederick Hanson. Jim is survived and deeply missed by his loving wife, Mary Hanson for 35 years; his two sons, Scott (Cathy), and Eric (Jennifer) Hanson; daughter Erica (Derrick) Strub; nephew Marty (Barb) Hanson; grandchildren Ashleigh Hanson, Shea Hanson, Sawyer Strub, Spencer Strub, Channing Strub and Gia Strub and great-grandsons Mason Bell and Chase Bell. He loved spending time with his family.
Jim's memory will forever be cherished by those who knew him. May his legacy bring comfort and inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to share in his remarkable life.
Funeral Service will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1900 7th St NW, New Brighton, MN 55112 with visitation one hour before and lunch afterwards.
Live Stream can be viewed here: https://www.lifeatctk.org/memorial/james-hanson