Oswald Fredrick Hanson was born in Eddy Township, Clearwater County, Minnesota on November 5, 1922 to Norwegian immigrants, Ben and Fina Hanson.  He was the third of six children.  Oswald was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. Petri.  Attending Hillside Country School District 30 through the eighth grade, he grew up in Popple Township and worked with his family on the farm and helping neighbors. 

A World War II veteran, Oswald entered the United States Army on July 15, 1944 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota.  He traveled to Camp Robinson, Arkansas for Basic Training.  He attended paratrooper training at Fort Benning, Georgia.  Finally, he was stationed in the European Theater and was in the infantry unit attached to the 10^th Armored Division in Germany.  He was awarded the Combat Infantry badge, as well as the Bronze Star Medal.  Honorable discharged on April 17, 1946, at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, Oswald attained the rank of Corporal in the US Army.

After returning from WWII, Oswald did some logging and trucking with his brother Orville.  He also was a carpenter on elevators for a few years.  He bought the family farm in the 50’s and farmed until 1962.   At that time, he moved to Minneapolis and built houses with his brothers Harlan and Orville.  He moved back to Bagley in the late 60’s and built houses in the Bagley area until his retirement.  He married Connie Ames Traaseth in July of 1975.  He was a member of the Irvin Blix Post #16 of Bagley. 

Oswald passed away at home on January 30, 2013.   He is buried at Bagley City Cemetery.  Oswald is survived by granddaughter Nicole Hanson Jesness and her family.   

Plot: 2      Side: South      Row from Bottom: 1

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