Clifford Wilton Hanson, age 92, of Spearfish, SD, passed away on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Edgewood Vista, surrounded by his loving wife, Elsie, and his five daughters.
He was born in Artas, South Dakota, to Clemmet and Lydia (Kost) Hanson on March 11, 1933. He was baptized and confirmed in the Pollock Lutheran Church, Pollock, SD. He attended six years of rural grade school and grades 7–12 in Pollock. While in high school, Cliff played baseball and basketball, boxed, coached the women’s basketball team his senior year and served as a Boys State Delegate. He was the valedictorian of the graduating class of 1951. He then attended one year at Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, SD. Cliff taught country school for one year in Emmons County, ND. He also farmed and worked for the ASC office moving grain bins to make room for new Pollock.
He married Elsie Hettich in Roscoe on September 25, 1955. They made their home in Pollock until 1957, at which point he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served until 1959, stationed at Ft. Lewis near Olympia, WA.
After serving in the Army, they returned to Pollock, where he farmed and managed the Pollock Farmers Elevator from 1960 to 1978. That summer, they moved to Spearfish, SD, where he was a territory marketing manager for Hubbard Milling Company until his retirement in 1996. He was also a partner in Pineview Apartments, Northern Hills Plaza, and Lookout Mountain Realty in Spearfish.
Cliff and Elsie traveled extensively throughout their years. They especially enjoyed camping in their pickup camper while achieving their dream of finishing Volksmarches in all 50 states. Cliff enjoyed exploring the beautiful Black Hills. Whether he was riding his motorcycle, four-wheeling with friends, or snowmobiling, he had a great sense of direction. It was common for others in his group to be lost, but Cliff always knew exactly where they were. His most treasured adventures, however, were with his wife Elsie, his daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his loving wife, Elsie; five daughters, Kim (Michael) Hehn, Clear Lake, SD; Lori (Curt) Fiedler, Spearfish, SD; Lois (Scott) Schuring, Andover, SD; Kristi Hoff, Las Vegas, NV; and Tricia (Loren) Sedevie, Rapid City, SD; 13 grandchildren, Derrick (Sarah) Hehn, Ryan (Kristen) Hehn, Kami (Vince) Struble, Jordan Fiedler, KC Fiedler, Trev (Erin) Fiedler, Jessah (Alex) Schone, Cory (Ashlee) Schuring, Kayla (Kyle) Grimslid, Spencer Hoff, Kaitlyn Sedevie, Tate Sedevie, and Ryland Sedevie; and 18 great-grandchildren, Hudson and Sawyer Hehn, Payton and Sophia Hehn and Henry, Lily, and Charlotte Struble, Elsie, Isaiah, and Lily Fiedler, Olivia and Ella Schone, Peyton, Harper, and Knox Schuring, Lydia, Parker, and Otto Grimslid. He is also survived by one sister-in-law, Judy Hanson of Pollock, and many nieces and nephews.
Cliff is preceded in death by his parents, Clemmet and Lydia Hanson; his brothers, Irve (Jean) Hanson and Roger Hanson; his sister, Joan Langbehn; and his nephew, Wade Hanson.
With respect to Cliff’s wishes, there will be no formal public services. Please join us to celebrate his life with an open house visitation on Wednesday, July 9th, 2025 from 9-11:30 AM, at the Hanson residence. Private Interment at the Black Hills National Cemetery will follow.
