Elmer Leroy Hanson of McPherson, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at The Cedars in McPherson.
Elmer was born May 17, 1927, at the farm home southwest of Carlton, Kansas, in Dickinson County. He was 95 years old, “Longer than I had a right to expect” he might have said. He was the son of Oscar and Emelia Hanson.
Elmer attended Pleasant Hill country school in southwest Dickinson County. He attended two years in Gypsum High School and graduated from Roxbury High School, Roxbury, Kansas, in 1944. After graduation, he helped on the family farm until October of 1946 when he enlisted in the Army. He served in the occupation of Japan after World War II. He was discharged with the rank of sergeant in April of 1948.
With the financial assistance of the GI bill, he acquired a BS degree from Emporia State Teachers College in 1953 and a MS degree in 1963. He began his teaching career in Summerfield High School, Summerfield, Kansas, where he met his wife, Margie McClellan. They were married August 7, 1955. A year later he tried his sales ability with the Chase Bag Company in Kansas City. After one year he returned to teaching, this time in his home high school at Roxbury, Kansas. After three years, he was employed by McPherson USD #418 to teach 7th grade math at Park School. After the district reorganized schools, Elmer taught math in the junior high school. He retired in 1991 after accumulating 37 years as an educator.
Throughout his lifetime he maintained an interest and was involved in farming.
Elmer was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in McPherson. He was a life member of four educational organizations: NEA, KSTA, KARSP and MARSP. He was a member of McPherson Lions Club. He served as a volunteer with Churches United in Ministry (CUM) and the McPherson County Food Bank. He found considerable satisfaction by being involved in the modification and expansion of the Food Bank facility in 2013.
Elmer and Marge were quite proud of their two sons and their families. Ronald “Ron” Hanson and his wife, Becky, live in Emporia, Kansas and are the parents of Dr. Brady Hanson (Nicole Ignacio) of Kansas City, Missouri, Lacee Hanson and son, Kit Newton, of Lawrence, Kansas, and Hayden Hanson of Emporia. Richard “Rick” Hanson and his wife, Kathryn, live in Shawnee, Kansas and are the parents of Megan Hanson and Ryan Hanson, both of Shawnee.
In addition to his sons and their families, Elmer is survived by a sister, Vivian Mayberry, of Hampton, Virginia, several nieces and nephews, as well as numerous friends.
Elmer was preceded in death by his wife, Margie, his parents, his sister, Evelyn Herman, and two brothers, Floyd and Harold.
The family will receive visitors at a reception for the celebration of his life at the Conference Center of The Cedars on Saturday, April 1, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until noon. The cremains will be buried in the Roxbury Valley View Cemetery at a private family gathering.
Memorial contributions can be made to the McPherson County Food Bank or The Hanson Family Educational Foundation at MCCF (McPherson County Community Foundation) and may be sent in Care of Glidden-Ediger-Wiggins Funeral Home, 222 W. Euclid St., McPherson, Kansas 67460.