Wayne Gary Hanson

Wayne Gary Hanson, 83, of Butterfield, died on June 20, 2026.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, August 23, 2026, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home in Saint James. Visitation will continue on Monday from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at Saint Olaf Lutheran Church in rural Odin. A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 24, 2026, at 11:00 am at Saint Olaf Luthean Church. Interment will take place at Saint Olaf Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials preferred to St. Olaf Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in St. James. Online Condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Wayne was born to Harold and Ardis (Warling) Hanson in St. James, MN on August 3, 1942. He was a lifetime member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church of rural Odin, MN, being baptized and confirmed there. Wayne attended Butterfield High School and graduated in 1960.

On December 10, 1960, he married his high school sweetheart, Zelda King, on her parents' farm in rural Butterfield, MN. Together they raised three children. Wayne was a devoted husband and father. Early in their marriage, Wayne worked at Scherr-Tumico, for Bill Schrader and at Butterfield Hardware. Later, he also worked at Toro. He was proud to be a farmer all of his life. Wayne was very fussy with his farm equipment, his farmyard and loved mowing his lawn. He loved horse-back riding and driving his horse and buggy. He also enjoyed antique cars, especially his 1932 Chevrolet and driving his Ford Mustangs. Wayne and Zelda spent a few years wintering in Arizona, until Wayne's health kept them closer to home. Over the years, Wayne and Zelda drove many miles and spent countless hours watching their grandchildren participate in their many sporting events. Wayne loved playing his accordion and taught accordion and guitar lessons for many years. He also served many years on the St. Olaf Lutheran Cemetery board and on the Butterfield Township board.

Wayne is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Zelda of Butterfield, MN; daughter, Paula (David) Elg of Butterfield, MN; son, Terry (Carol) of Ormsby, MN; son, Todd (Jennifer) of Saint James, MN; 6 grandchildren, Anthony (Kandice Byron) Elg, Travis (Alison) Elg, Lindzey (Chris) Donovan, Kayla (fiancé Tyson Crosby) Hanson, Ethan (Taylor) Pierson and Cody Hanson; 4 great-grandchildren; sister, Judith (Rodney) Meyers of Carlos, MN; brother, Rodney (Gail) Hanson of Protem, MO; sisters-in-law, Evie King of Windom, MN and Jean Kramer of Kenyon, MN; brother-in-law, Jerry (Marilyn) King of Baxter, MN; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Ardis (Warling) Hanson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Vernon and Clara (Hoffman) King; brothers-in-law, Virgil King and Daryl Kramer; along with several aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives.