Rev. Bruce L. Hanson
Reverend Bruce L. Hanson, age 75, of Garnavillo, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Santa Ana, Calif. He was born in Lansing, Mich., on Oct. 2, 1948, the son of Lyle and Ruth (Magruder) Hanson.
Upon moving to Urbana, Ill., he graduated from Urbana High School with the class of 1966. Bruce attended Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, Va. He then furthered his studies at Parkland College in Champagne, Ill., where he met the love of his life, Connie Uden. Bruce married Connie on Aug. 16, 1969, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Flatville, Ill., and together they raised two children. He later graduated from the University of Dubuque before obtaining his Master of Divinity Degree from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque.
He became the pastor of West Akers and First Lutheran Church of Arland of Prairie Farm, Wis., and Clayton, Wis. He later led the parishes of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Benson, Ill., St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ashton, Ill., and St. Peter Lutheran Church in Arenzville, Ill. He later moved to Iowa where he ministered to the two-point parish of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Farmersburg and First Lutheran Church (Swede Ridge) in McGregor, before becoming interim pastor at Zion Lutheran Church, where he remained for over 10 years.
Bruce served as the police chaplain for the Iowa State Police for many years. He was also a care advisor who advocated for patients from Iowa to Washington, D.C. to internationally as a founding member of PCORI (the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute), serving on research committees that advocated for rural healthcare. Bruce spent his life educating others as a teacher of faith. He never met a stranger and was always quick to extend his kindness and generosity to others. He enjoyed spending time with family, working with stained glass and woodworking, camping, fishing and tinkering with new computer technology. He also loved his dog, Bella, dearly.
Bruce’s wife Connie preceded him in death on April 3, 2017. He is survived by his children Angela (Jim) Primrose and Aaron (Ivory) Hanson; siblings Karen Malocha, Craig (Carolyn) Hanson and Jane Becker; grandchildren Tzion Kirk, Dajaé Hanson and Katelyn and Derek Primrose; partner Diane Gunderson; step-grandchildren Deja and Chava Dominique; great-grandchildren Ty’Lasia Hanson and Jenesis and Jerson Joyner; and eight nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services were April 22, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Guttenberg, with burial in the Garnavillo City Cemetery in Garnavillo. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Fishburne Military School or The Lutheran Church of the Wilderness on the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohican Reservation.
The Garrity Funeral Home of Prairie du Chien is assisting the family. www.garrityfuneralhome.com
