Obituaries : Gregory A. Hanson

Following a brief illness, Gregory A. Hanson, 68, passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at UI Health Care Medical Center, Iowa City. A celebration of Greg's life will be held 11:00 am to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 24, 2025, at The Well, 417 1st Avenue, Vinton, as Greg wouldn't have wanted anyone to miss planting time on his account. Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home is caring for Greg and his family.

Greg was born July 31, 1956, in Decorah, the son of Arlin and Virginia (Halvorson) Hanson. He graduated from South Winneshiek High School in 1974. On April 20, 1985, Greg was united in marriage to Dianne Schwartz. They raised Brown Swiss dairy cattle as Nordic Farm until 2002. He continued grain farming all his life but livestock was in his blood and soon the barn and pastures on the farm were full once again and Greg's hands busy as they longed to raise commercial lambs. In 2019, Greg and Dianne moved to Vinton to be close to Ross and his growing family. What began as a joke eventually became reality as the farming operation also moved and restarted in Benton County. Greg adjusted to new ways of raising crops alongside his son and grandchildren daily. Soon livestock once again appeared in Greg's life as lambing is due to start any day.

Greg had a passion for classic automobiles. He was proud of his 1971 Plymouth Roadrunner, a 1984 Pontiac Fiero and a 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T. Alongside other car enthusiasts, Greg was among the original members of the Bluff Country Cruisers charity car club from 1997 until they moved in 2019. Greg passed his love of classic machines to his son as together they restored a 1947 Ford pickup Ross was given by his Grandpa Alfred. Greg was also incredibly proud of his Fendt tractors, owning three of the "prettier green tractors" in his lifetime and none of them going long between a good washing and waxing.

Greg loved a good time away from the farm, too, and he joined up with his lifelong friends hosting hog roasts, motorcycle trips, fishing trips 'up Nort', road trips to buy something, and UTVing through their adult lives. One thing to note, however, is that over the years the trips got tamer and memories of past events seem to have "faded" - both probably for the better of all involved!

Left to cherish Greg's memory are his wife of 40 years, Dianne, of Vinton; son, Ross (Morgan) Hanson of Vinton; beloved grandchildren: Samuel, Sullivan, and Sophia of Vinton; siblings: Wendy (Robert) Van Gorp of Cedar Falls, Sandra (Keith) Elsbernd of Calmar, Randy (Lisa) Hanson of Decorah, and Brian (Rachel) Hanson of Decorah; sister-in-law Roxann Schwartz (Gary Rees) of Guthrie Center, many other family members; and his spoiled dog, Peanut.

He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Alfred and Shirley Schwartz; and many loyal and beloved dogs over his lifetime.

Greg will be most missed for always answering the question "Hey Pa want to come help me with something?" with a "yes" regardless the time of day, weather or distance involved. He likely thought most of the projects were crazy, but he never revealed this and worked to see them through. Even though it was a great challenge physically, his last project was to build his beloved grandchildren a sandbox. He was blessed to see them enjoy it immensely during his last few days with us.

A memorial fund has been established for the family to direct as Greg would have desired. Condolences for the family may be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.