Harlan Jerdine Hanson was born on the family farm in Popple Township, Clearwater County on November 24^th, 1924 to parents Ben and Fina Hanson.  He was the fourth of six children.  Harlan was baptized and confirmed in the Christian Lutheran faith at St Petri church.  He attended District 30 Hillside school through the 8^th grade and then Bagley High School.  Harlan quit high school during his junior year to work on the family farm. 

 Harlan joined the U.S. Navy June 30^th, 1944 and traveled to Farragut, Idaho for basic training and then to Oceanside, California for Beach Battalion School at the Amphibious Training Base (ATB).  From there, Harlan was deployed to the Pacific Theater on the USS Pitt APA 233 battleship.  Harlan participated in battles at sea as well as the invasion of the Okinawa Islands.  Harlan was later transferred to the USS Maryland (BB-46) as part of the Operation Magic Carpet to bring servicemen back to the United States.  Seaman 1c Harlan Hanson was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy on June 3^rd, 1946.  Harlan was a lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) and the American Legion.  Harlan served as a VFW Commander in Chief and was also active with the VFW Ritual team. 

After the war, Harlan married his wife, Florence Ames on November 26, 1948 at First Lutheran Church in Bagley, MN.  Harlan built a house in Brooklyn Center, MN where they raised seven children together.  Harlan worked construction for most of his career, primarily building new homes around the twin city metropolitan area.  He and two of his brothers formed Hanson Builders corporation in the early 1960s.  Harlan then formed his own company of Harlan J Hanson Construction and later served as the Vice President of new home construction for Waconia Homes. 

 Harlan passed away peacefully on December 10^th, 2012.   He is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Bloomington, MN.  Harlan is lovingly survived by his wife, Florence, seven children, fifteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.