Delbert Hanson

Visitation: Sunday at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City

Prayer Service: Sunday, September 7, 2003 at 4:00 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City

Funeral Service: Monday, September 8, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. at the Grace Bible Church in Miles City

Graveside Services: Monday, September 8, 2003 at 4:00 p.m. in the family lot in the Willow Crossing Cemetery in Ashland.

Delbert Lee Hanson, age 94, of Miles City passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at the Cottonwood Care Home in Miles City.

Delbert was born on March 12, 1909, in Beech Grove, Indiana, the 4th child of Marion Lee and Grace Editha (Truesdell) Hanson. The Hansons moved first to Oklahoma, then in 1916, they moved to Montana and purchased a homestead relinquishment on the East Fork of Otter Creek in Powder River County. Delbert married Virginia Dede Murray on May 12, 1934, at St. Labre Mission at Ashland, Montana. To this union, three daughters were born: Jeanette, Della and Faye Ellen.

Delbert ranched on this home place until moving to Miles City in 1965. Over the years, other ranches were added to the home place. He bought the Valley View Ranch south of Miles City on Pumpkin Creek in 1959. Among other things, Delbert was a roundup boss, baseball player, registered Hereford man, auctioneer, and a fiddle player for country dances. In the 50s Delbert & Dede took up square dancing and Delbert learned to be a caller. That hobby took him all over Eastern Montana. Delbert was also a Powder River County Commissioner in the late 50s and mid 60s. After moving to Miles City, Delbert gradually phased out of the ranching business and became owner of the Red Rock Bowling Lanes, which he built and opened in 1964. In retirement, Delbert got involved with the String Band at the Senior Center in Miles City. He dusted off his fiddle and banjo and thus began many wonderful years of fiddle playing and friendships. He was President of the District 7 Fiddlers for many years and participated in state fiddling contests at Polson, Montana.

Delbert was an honest man and believed a handshake was as good as a contract. He loved visiting and being around people. The family is indebted to his caregivers, Sally and Barb; Hospice nurses and volunteers and also to the entire staff at Cottonwood Care Home where Delbert has resided since December of 2002.

Delbert is survived by his three daughters: Jeanette Penrod of Miles City, MT; Della Kramlich and her husband, Robert, of Dickinson, ND; and Faye Ellen Thompson of Ashland, MT. Also surviving are fourteen grandchildren: Lee Penrod, Marty Penrod, Jodie Jolly, Patsy Penrod, Twila Craig, Cathy Cook, Shawn Penrod, Darcy DeWitt, Kerry Kramlich, Shanna Jaeger, Karen Mogard, Pamela Thompson, Wendy Twedt, and Rochelle Cooper; along with 35 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Delbert was preceded in death by his wife, Dede in 1989; brothers: Perry & Edward; a sister Edna Richards and a granddaughter, Michelle Kramlich.

Visitation will be held Sunday in the chapel in Miles City. A Prayer service will be held Sunday, September 7, 2003 at 4:00 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held Monday, September 8, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. at the Grace Bible Church in Miles City. Interment will be held on Monday at 4:00 p.m. in the family lot in the Willow Crossing Cemetery in Ashland. Condolences may be sent to the family by visitingwww.stevensonandsons.com.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Holy Rosary Hospice, 2600 Wilson, Miles City, MT 59301 or to the charity of one's choice.