Rodney K. Hanson, age 92, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on May 31, 2013 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, Montana. Rod was born Sept. 1, 1920 to John and Nellie Hanson in Fort Benton, Montana. He spent his childhood on the family farm in Highwood with his three brothers, Kenneth, Maurice, and Loren and his sister, Janice. After attending Montana State College for one year, he went to work for Sun River Electric, a local rural electric cooperative, in Fairfield, Montana in 1940, where he met the love of his life, Eunice Bailey. They were married on Sept. 6, 1942. Just last year, Rod and Eunice celebrated 70 wonderful years of marriage with their friends and daughters.
Rod and Eunice initially lived in Pendroy, Mt. until June of 1944 when he was inducted into the Navy during World War II. Rod was stationed at Honolulu, Hawaii and Saipan before being honorably discharged in March, 1946. Shortly thereafter he was hired as the manager of Butte Electric Co-op in Newell, South Dakota and continued to serve as an REA manager for the next 40 years, serving at Sun River Electric in Fairfield, Montana since 1957 until his retirement in 1985. Due to his exemplary management skills and winning personality, Rod was asked to serve as an interim manager and restore order to numerous troubled electric co-operatives during retirement, but Rod and Eunice’s home always remained in Fairfield.
Rod was a very giving person, never complaining, but always looking out for others. He belonged to many community organizations including Lion’s Club, Kiwanis, serving as a church trustee, and a school board member. He was instrumental in establishing the Fairfield swimming pool and worked alongside Eunice to start the Fairfield Drop-In Center. Rod was elected to the Montana Constitutional Convention in 1972, where he helped to re-write the States’ constitution. He always believed in doing good because it was the right thing to do—not for the recognition. He was well thought of in his community and throughout the state by those who worked with him. Rod was an example of honesty, integrity, and hard work to his family and friends.
Rod was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, and sister. He is survived by his wife, Eunice, and four daughters; Sharon (Jim) Jeffery of Grangeville, Idaho, Charlene (Mike) Gustafson of Billings, Mt., Linda (Dick) Norden of Boulder, Mt., and Debra (Game) McGimsey of Eagle River, Alaska. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at the United Church of Christ in Fairfield, Mt. on Saturday, June 8th at 11 am with a graveside service immediately following at the Fairfield Cemetery. A reception will be held following the services in the fellowship hall of the United Church of Christ.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the United Church of Christ, 6 1st Rd NW, Fairfield, MT 59436 or to the Fairfield High School, School District 21, 13 7th St., Fairfield, Mt 59436. To offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Rod, please visit below.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday June 8, 2013
United Church of Christ
6 1st Rd NW
Fairfeild, Montana 59436
Interment
Following the service
Saturday June 8, 2013
Sunset Hills Cemetery
Fairfield, Montana 59436
Reception
Following services
Saturday June 8, 2013
United Church of Christ
6 1st Rd NW
Fairfield, Montana 59436
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday June 8, 2013
United Church of Christ
6 1st Rd NW
Fairfeild, Montana 59436
Interment
Following the service
Saturday June 8, 2013
Sunset Hills Cemetery
Fairfield, Montana 59436
Reception
Following services
Saturday June 8, 2013
United Church of Christ
6 1st Rd NW
Fairfield, Montana 59436
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Mary Dell Dean says
Words cannot express the feeling of loss. Uncle Rod was always such a wonderful man and will be deeply missed. I will cherish the fond memories of his ever present smile and gentle way. Our prayers are with you all at this time.
Love you!
Kerri Gustafson says
Grandpa is an amazing man that not many can live up to. His kindness, his wit and his understated ways of getting things done without recognition are qualities we should all strive to hold. Grandpa tolerated so many “girly” things. I remember playing dolls and doctoring up grandpa as a young girl, begging grandpa to go sledding as a young adult, watching him jet ski while grandma yelled at him to be careful and then finally just sitting down and having some great conversations. Love you always Grandpa!
Kirk Gustafson says
Hi Grandpa, to this day, I believe that your hearing is perfectly fine. Raising four daughters who have the unique ability to sit at the kitchen table and all talk at the same time while commenting on each other’s stories…it was a necessity to perfect the art of selective hearing. I know you are listening to us from above….when you want to! 🙂 Love and miss you down here, Grandson Kirk
Jim Jeffery says
I loved Kirk and Kerri’s comments and would add that Rods four daughters and Eunice DO all talk at the same time, but I was never sure ANY listening was done. Rod knew what they were thinking so hearing was optional.
In the forty-six years that I have known Rod, never a single time did I hear him raise his voice, and he never once tried to influence or interfere with a decision Sharon or I made. He was just always there in the background supporting the people he loved and that included his family, his community, his state and nation. He and Eunice visited us in Alaska at least once each year all those years we lived up there. Brian as a little boy used to climb all over him and follow him around like a puppy. Once Sharon found Rod sleeping and Brian just quietly standing beside his grandfather watching him sleep. My respect and admiration for Rod verges on awe. Nobody ever had a better father-in-law (or mother-in-law) than Rod and Eunice have been. What a magnificent family it has been my privilege to have married into.
Son-in-law Jim
Kim Mills says
Rod Hanson was the kind of man that you would like to see all men pattern their lives after. My memories of Rod were of a kind, thoughtful sincere individual.He was truly a man of his word and was fun to associate with whether it was business dealings, talking sports or just visiting . It was my privilege to know Rod and Eunice.
Stuart and Joyce Deans says
Dear Charlene and Mike:
Just got the sad news that your Dad has died, Charlene. So sorry. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love, Joyce and Suart
Florence Armagost says
Eunice and Family:
Love and prayers to all of you. Rod and Eunice were so good to my parents – Herb and Esther Schmidt — when they lived around the corner. Your Mom and Dad were special people, always there for others with those smiles and hugs. May the memories of Rod bring you smiles with those tears. And I’m sure yesterday you celebrated the Father you had on earth and the peace he has with Our Father in Heaven.
Love Florence