Craig M. Hanson

Craig Murray Hanson was born to Morris R. and Margie M. (Schofield) Hanson on November 5, 1946 in Blue Earth.He began his education at the Blue Earth Elementary School with is brother, J.R.Craig then attended school at Owatonna State School for Children with Disabilities.When Craig was a young adult he moved to the Robert E. Milton Home in Redwood Falls.Craig was selected to be one of the first men in MN to be taught skills through the semi-independent living skills program (SILS).Craig successfully completed this innovative program and lived with friends with minimal support in Redwood Falls for a number of years, working in a local restaurant.He moved to Fairmont 18 years ago and lived alone in an apartment, receiving support as needed from REM Heartland.Craig worked in the community but his primary job was at MRCI in Fairmont.He worked at a number of assignments there and enjoyed the variety to learn new skills. Craig loved to ride his bike to and from work, eight miles round trip, and for errands.He recently purchased a new Trek bike and helmet and had just begun to ride it.Craig was also an avid reader.He was rarely without a book be it fiction, non-fiction, suspense or the occasional romance.Craig also read the Star Tribune daily, especially checking out the stock market page to see if his investments were up of down that day.He enjoyed television, focusing on news channels, the stock market channel and movies.Bowling on weekends was another one of his interests.One of Craigs other interests was birding.He had many bird feeders outside of his apartment and was thrilled this spring to finally have a cardinal at one of his feeders.Craig also made a great tater tot hot dish. Craig is survived by his son Nathan Nielsen and special friend, Dawn Nielsen, both of Pipestone.He is also survived by his mother, Margie Hanson of Blue Earth, brother, Chuck (& Carol) Hanson of Roseburg, Oregon, Morris D. (& Barbara) Hanson of Winnebago, Mike (& Margaret) Hanson of Wellington, New Zealand; sister, Joy (& Gary) Anderson of Big Fork; nephews and nieces, Corey Hanson of Roseburg, Oregon, Curt Hanson of Portland, Oregon, Ron Hanson of Wellington, New Zealand, Erica Kotero of Los Angeles, Mark Hanson of Wellington, New Zealand and Jenna Hanson of Minneapolis.He also has many great nieces & nephews.Craig will be missed by his friends, co-workers at MRCI and REM Heartland; and special thanks to Craigs friend, Steve Gilbertson. He was preceded in death by his father, Morris R. Hanson in 2001.