Howard Vernon Hanson, biographical piece and obituary

From Hyde Heritage, copyright 1977, page 228

Howard V. Hanson

Written by Howard Hanson

Howard Hanson was born December 9, 1921 to Schuyler and Anna (Vondra) Hanson in Union Township, Hyde County (South Dakota). He attended school in Union and Banner townships. Howard ranched in Hyde and Faulk counties with his father and uncle. He joined the U.S. Navy in February 1942 and served in gun crews aboard an ammunition ship in the New Foundland, Greenland and Bermuda areas. He was aboard a troop transport in the European, African, and Middle Eastern Theater of Operation. He was at the Omaha Beach Head in the invasion of France on June 5, 6, and 7th of 1944. He also served on an ammunition ship in the South Pacific in 1945. He got discharged from the Navy on October 26, 1945 with the rating of Gunners Mate Second Class.

Following discharge from the Navy he started ranching with his father and brother. In the fall of 1955, he bought his brothers interest in the ranch and has since operated the ranch of 4,500 acres in Hyde and Faulk counties. With a 300 head cow herd, Leroy and Cindy Scott  have shared in the ranch for the past four years.

Howard served a number of years on the Union Township board. Also has been a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church Council, Highmore, for a number of years. He was chairman of the church council when the present St. Mary's Church was built. At present time he is a director of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.

Some of his memories of the more recent times in Hyde County include: the dirty 30's; the prairie fire of 1947 in Hyde and Hughes counties; the blizzard of March 1966; hail storm of 1968; and the blizzard of March and April 1975.
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Funeral Mass Held for Howard Hanson

Funeral mass was held Tuesday, February 1, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Highmore. for Howard V. Hanson. Fr. Ivo Martini officiated and burial was at St. Mary's Cemetery, Highmore.

Casket bearers were Stanley Roseland, Bevin Roseland, Leroy Scott, Ervin Roseland, Boyd Roseland and Nels Hanson.

Howard Vernon Hanson was born December 9, 1921, at Faulkton, S. Dakota, to Schuyler and Anna (Vondra) Hanson and died January 29, 1994 at his ranch north of Highmore at the age of 72 years, one month and 20 days.

He was baptized in the Catholic faith. He spent his entire life farming and ranching in the Highmore area, with the exception of four years he was in the U.S. Navy in World War II. He was proud of his Hereford cattle, which were known throughout the state. In 1993, he received an award from the South Dakota Hereford Association for his contributions to the Hereford industry.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, South Dakota Stockgrowers, and the Golden Age Club. He served as chairman of St. Mary's church council when the new church was built.

Survivors include: one sister, Margaret Brown, Pierre; one brother and his wife, Robert and Elaine, Highmore; a dear friend, Olive Holmes, Highmore; three nephews: Gregory Brown of Houston, Texas; Robert Hanson of Castro Valley, California; and William Hanson of Boston, Mass.

He was preceeded by in death by his parents; one niece, Pamela Brown and one nephew, Brian Brown.