Ronald Jerome “Ron” Hanson died peacefully after a brief stay in hospice care, while family sang at his bedside on January 21, 2026. He was defined by his love of family, friends, church, and community. An excellent salesman, realtor, and all-around handyman, he found joy in helping others. Ron’s good humor and determination were well known to all who knew him.

He was born, July 11, 1941, to Albert and Lucille Hanson. He loved the East Side of St. Paul where he lived for most of his 84 years. As a youth, he was proud to serve as Junior Royalty for the St. Paul Winter Carnival, first as Junior Prime Minister and then as the Junior King Frost. He shared his love for the Winter Carnival by taking his kids medallion hunting, to see snow sculptures and ice castles!

Ron graduated from Johnson High School in 1959 and continued his education at Globe Business College. He played trumpet in the band and was on the track team in high school. He loved watching Drum and Bugle corps competitions in person and later virtually!

In 1962, Ron married the girl from across the street, Sharon Jaszczak. They had known each other since childhood when their families were part of the Rose Street gang. Together they raised three children, opened their home to students from across the world for short stays and for yearlong stays. They were part of couples’ clubs, bowling leagues, church groups, and card clubs. They were still playing cards every day at 4pm, and then they watched Jeopardy together. Side by side for 64 years.

He enjoyed his early sales career at General Electric and the Lenox Company. Later he worked as an all-around handyman and even as a bus driver. He loved driving buses for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games! A highlight of his life! His favorite job was as a real estate agent selling commercial and residential properties to anyone in need in the community for the past 30 years. Mr. Ron helped many immigrants and especially Karen community members establish their new church homes in Minnesota. This gave him a new purpose well into retirement and a new set of wonderful friends. He was still working at the age of 84 selling real estate!

Ron’s generosity showed itself in his commitment to his church and his community. Ron enjoyed bringing friends to the Norske Torske Klubben to eat torsk together and share some of his Norwegian heritage. Ron was the head usher at Arlington Hills Lutheran Church for many years. He enjoyed working with the youth and introducing them to backpacking in the Big Horn Mountains. For the last 20 years, he was the Alley Shoppe’s fix it man. Nothing was given away that was not in working condition! He could find the best deals, the best ways to fix things, and was always happy to share what he knew with other people.

He could fix anything, paint anything, wallpaper anything. Many homes were painted Ron’s color. Menards was his very favorite store for all his supplies.

Ron enjoyed spending time outside with his family. He was an avid fisherman who taught his children and grandchildren to fish. He was an excellent bowler! He loved to spend time with his family and could often be found offering support and advice at baseball, football, and hockey games, dance recitals, music and theatre performances, and rock climbing competitions. Ron’s quiet support also showed while driving his grandkids to school, taking them out to Perkins, and calling them with the joke of the day. He shared his love of trains, model railroads, marching bands, and flash mob videos with everyone in his life.

He is survived by his wife Sharon, children Pam Wiehe (Mike), Tom Hanson, and Steve Hanson (Kelli); grandchildren, Laurel Wiehe, John Smith-Wiehe (Lindsey), Sarah Svendsen (Adam), Arianna Hanson & Justin Hanson, Jacob Hanson & Isaac Hanson; great grandson Louis Smith-Wiehe and future great-grandchild Svendsen (Sarah & Adam); sister-in-law Linda Veitch; many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Ron was preceded in death by parents Albert and Lucille Hanson, parents-in-law Edward and Caroline Jaszczak, brother Wayne Hanson, sister-in-law Maureen Hanson, and niece Debbie Hanson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Alley Shoppe or Health Partners Hospice Care.

Visitation to be held on Friday, February 6 from 5-7pm at Anderson Funeral Home 1401 Arcade St, St. Paul, MN 55106 and at the church 10-11:15 am prior to Saturday service.

Funeral service to be held at Arlington Hills Lutheran Church, 1115 Greenbrier Street, St. Paul on Saturday February 7 at 11:30 am with luncheon to follow.