David G. Hanson

David G. Hanson, "Happy Camper", 66, of Perley, MN (formerly St. Paul, MN) passed away December 30, 2017, at Eventide on Eighth, Moorhead, MN, after a brief courageous battle with cancer.

David was born in Riverdale, ND on November 22, 1951, (Thanksgiving Day) to the late Palmer A. Hanson and Barbara Hanson Schaeffer-Olson. David was baptized at Riverdale Community Church, Riverdale, on December 2, 1951, and confirmed at St. John Episcopal Church, Moorhead on November 8, 1964. He graduated from Moorhead High in 1970, and went on to Minnesota Technical College, earning a Commercial Art degree in 1972.

After college, David accepted a position with Control Data, St Paul, where he worked for 25 years until his department was eliminated. He enjoyed working with his hands and getting full of ink-running printing presses that showcased his work. David went on to getting his hands dirty when he accepted a position with Mining Auger Tool, St. Paul, for 15 years, until he suffered a career ending heart attack. He moved to the family farm in Perley the fall of 2015, where he could be closer to the family and enjoy the outdoors. This was David's little slice of heaven with room enough for him to tinker on all his treasure finds.

David was one that you would always find outdoors exploring what nature had to offer, whether it be fishing, camping or boating. His nickname of "Camper Dave" was his moniker throughout his adult life. Every weekend, Dave found trails and boundary waters to explore with his canoe. Even when he moved to Perley, he was off to explore new territory in North Dakota. David enjoyed attending all the sporting, dance and social events of his nieces without fail. He was their biggest fan. David enjoyed taking trips with his Mom on cruise ships (bigger than his canoe) and had recently gone with Mom to Mexico to explore.

Dave loved the thrill of a good find and attended many county fairs, swap meets, thrift stores, and estate sales, making friends along the way. He has a unique collection of foldable boats, bikes, and old scooters; all treasures to him with a story to tell. Dave loved to tinker with all his finds whether it be a car, boat, snowmobile, or motorcycle and was bound and determined to bring it back to life with a little bit of elbow grease and a whole lot of luck. He was also very creative and enjoyed working with stained glass, sketching, painting, and making art out of anything he came across; he's been repurposing for over 50 years.

His father; grandparents, Gilbert and Anna Hanson and David and Marjorie Kopp preceded him in death. David will be greatly missed and is survived by his mother, Barbara Schaeffer-Olson, Perley; brothers, Douglas W. Hanson, Fargo and Dan (Heidi) Schaeffer, West Fargo; sister, Deborah Schaeffer (Dean Flaten), Moorhead; nieces, Kayley, Kaitlynn and Ella B; aunts, Betty Medley of WA (Kelle Guche & Kevin Malstrom), Judy Dovenmuehler Kupka (David) Oceanside, CA, Ann Dovenmuehler, Las Vegas, NV, John (Sheila) and Peter Dovenmuehler, CA, also survive him.

Funeral Service for David will be 11:00 am, Saturday, January 20, 2018, with viewing at 10:00 am in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.

Interment will be Sunday, January 21, 2018, at Erdahl Lutheran Cemetery, rural Elbow Lake, MN.
Happy Trails to the Happy Camper

(Korsmo Funeral Service, Moorhead, MN)