Donald E. Hanson

Donald E Hanson, age 95, of Eau Claire, WI (formally of Duluth, MN) passed away peacefully August 24, 2025 at Cambridge Senior Living, under the care of Hartford Hospice, surrounded by his loving family.  

He was born June 3, 1930 in La Crosse, WI to Margaret and Theodore Hanson.  He graduated from La Crosse Aquinas and then attended and graduated from La Crosse State College where he was involved in theater.  He went on to further his education at the Goodman Theatre at the University of Chicago. He came back to La Crosse to begin his career in Theatre Management, but not before serving two years in the National Guard. Donny’s passion was the theatre and he loved to see people happy and smiling, so Theatre Management was the perfect fit for him! He managed several theatres throughout his career, including the Hollywood and Rivoli Theatres in La Crosse; The State Theatre in Eau Claire; The Chateau and Apache Mall Theatres in Rochester, MN and The Paramount and The Hays Theatres in St. Cloud, MN. His final destination was Duluth, MN, where he lived for over 50 years. He had finally found a place that he loved to call home and enjoyed managing both the North Shore Theatre in Duluth and The Palace Theatre in Superior, WI. He was nominated for Business Man of the Year during his tenure at The North Shore Theatre. He liked to keep himself busy, so he had a second job working the nightshift at the Voyaguer Motel. After he retired from the Theatre business, he went on to become a host at the Barkers Island in Superior, WI. He finally retired at the “young” age of 85! Even after his second retirement, he continued to volunteer his time at the local senior centers in Duluth, making many friends along the way.

Family was very important to him. He loved when his nieces and nephews would come visit him in Duluth. He was a great tour guide and would bring his family to all the hidden gems in the area. The last few years of Donny's life, he lived with niece, Stephanie, and her husband, Randy. He found immense joy spending time with Jon and Lexi (Georgia), Alex (Liam) and Maggie. He especially looked forward to weekly Sunday family dinners. Donny was a humble, kind, and generous man during his lifetime. Part of his daily routine included feeding the local wildlife, reading, listening to music of all types, and praying his rosary for his family and friends. He loved movie nights where he could share his collection of old classical movies with his family. 

He is preceded in death by his parents Margaret and Theodore Hanson, brother Greg Hanson, and sister in law Kathy Hanson, Sister Maxine (Hanson) Weber and brother in law Richard Weber, Nephew in law Mark Schabert and many aunts, uncles and cousins. 

He is survived by his nieces and nephews, Stephanie (Randy) Lueck; Teresa (Steve) La Berge (great-nephews, Bailey, Oliver, and Ben); Hugh (Mary) Hanson; Mary Schabert; Peter (Kate) Hanson; Katy (Scott) Thuleen and Ann (Tom) Persico; and cousin Angie (Scott) Rhodes, as well as several great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews.

Donny will be dearly missed by all, especially his best friend, Maisi (Man's Best Friend.)

Special thank you to the direct care staff at Cambridge Senior Living for their kindness and dedication. As well as a special thank you to Hartford Hospice for their special end of life care. Lastly, we would like to thank Deb Ward for her wonderful care and endless games of Yahzee over the last several months with Donny.  We have been truly blessed by the generosity of you all.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Alzheimer's Association in honor of Donald Hanson. 

Funeral Mass will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 8, 2025 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1712 Highland Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701. Father Francis Thadathil will officiate. Visitation will take place at the church on Monday (9/8/25) morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Interment will take place immediately following the Mass in the Rest Haven Cemetery in the Town of Washington.

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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