Darwin G. Hanson

Darwin G. Hanson, age 74, of Westby, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 8, 2024, with his wife of 45 years, Charlene, by his side, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Darwin was born on April 6th,1950, to Donald and Beba (Elliot) Hanson in Spring Grove, Minnesota. He graduated from St. Charles Public Schools in 1968. Darwin proudly served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves for 6 years as a Military Policeman with the 336th Military Police Battalion. Following his service in the military, Darwin took great pride working alongside his brother Darrell at Ralston Purina and the Rochester Dairy in Rochester, MN. Darwin married Charlene Spitzer on June 9, 1979, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in St. Charles, MN. While living in St. Charles, Darwin worked at NorthStar Foods and Rochester Frozen Storage. He proudly volunteered with the City of St. Charles, MN, serving on both the Police Department and Ambulance Service. In 1992, Darwin and family moved to Mankato, MN. Darwin was a dedicated, hardworking man who worked in building services at Minnesota State University – Mankato for 20 years alongside his best friend Richard Wegner until his retirement in July of 2013. Following retirement, Darwin and Charlene moved to Westby, Wisconsin to be closer to their grandchildren.

Darwin enjoyed his social time with friends and family sharing stories and jokes, vacations, boating, classic cars, NASCAR, his favorite tv shows (Hogan’s Heroes, MASH and Blue Bloods), his morning cup of coffee with the guys, and his precious dogs, Charlee and Frankie.

Loving father of Nathan Hanson of Hastings, MN and Ashley (Joe) Starks of Viroqua, WI. Proud grandfather of Henry, Edison and Winston Starks. Beloved brother to Sheryl Finley of St. Charles, MN; Dean (Mary) Hanson of San Miguel, Mexico; Kimberly (Larry) Vogen of Winona, MN; and Scott Hanson of Plainview, MN. Brother-in-law to Ken Haley of St. Charles, MN, Ann Hanson of Apple Valley, MN and Jeannette Hanson of St. Charles, MN.

Preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Beba (Elliot) Hanson; his brothers, Darrell Hanson and Steve Hanson; his sister, Kris Haley; and his beloved dog, Maggie.

Darwin impacted many lives and made many friends. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him. Blessed be our memories of Darwin Hanson.

A Prayer Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 14, 2024, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Westby. A luncheon will follow at the church. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.vossfh.com.

Darwin’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff members at the La Crosse Gundersen Health Systems, Dr. Metz, Nurse Kate, and the rest of the Nephrology Department, Intensive Care and Rehabilitation units as well as Aveanna Home Health and Mulder Health Care Facility in West Salem.

Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory is serving Darwin's family.

708 S. Main St.

Westby, WI, 54667

608-634-2100