Dennis Hanson of Crookston, MN passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2026 surrounded
by his loving family at Villa St. Vincent in Crookston, MN.
Mass of Christian burial for Dennis will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, May 30, 2026, at
St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gentilly, MN with MSGR David Baumgartner officiating.
Burial will be at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, Gentilly, MN.
Visitation will be held Friday, May 29, 2026 starting at 5:00 PM with a prayer service at
7:00 PM at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gentilly and also one hour prior to the service
at the church on Saturday.
Dennis Henry Hanson was born September 3, 1942 in Crookston, MN son of Henry and
Mildred (Rude) Hanson. He was raised in Crookston and graduated from Crookston
High School in 1962. Soon after graduation he started working for Elk River Concrete
until he began employment for the City of Crookston in 1971. He was employed with the
City of Crookston until his retirement in 2007.
Dennis was united in marriage to Judith Morgan on September 3, 1966 at Trinity
Lutheran Church in Crookston, MN. Dennis and Judie were blessed with the births of 3
sons, Darren, Shawn and Jeremy.
Dennis later married Debra Brault on July 25, 1998 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in
Gentilly, MN. From this union Dennis was blessed with four beloved stepchildren,
Melissa, Corey, Nicole and Jeremy.
He enjoyed summer and winter fishing, hunting, camping, gardening and spending time
at the lake. He passed his love of the outdoors onto his children and grandchildren. He
was also an avid Minnesota Vikings fan loving his visits to the Metrodome and more
recently to the US Bank Stadium to cheer on his favorite team. Dennis also enjoyed
restoring antique tractors and competing in tractor-pulling competitions (aka “Bragging
Rights”). Dennis was a member of the Northern Tractor Pullers and Old Time Tractor
Pullers Clubs. Most of all, Dennis loved his children, grandchildren and great-
grandchildren. They were the most important people in his life and he treasured them
and all the good times they had together.
Dennis and Debbie loved to travel, particularly when it meant spending time with family.
Although their careers concluded on different timelines, that never kept them from
enjoying time together and taking memorable trips to Jamaica, Memphis, Nashville,
New Orleans, Disney World, Boston, Maine, and Europe.
Dennis lived with a humble heart and a compassionate spirit, leaving a lasting
impression of love and kindness on family, friends and all who had to the privilege of
knowing him. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
Dennis is survived by his loving wife Debbie, of Crookston, MN; children Darren (Cindy)
Hanson of Holland, MI, Shawn Hanson of Crookston, MN, Jeremy (Becky) Hanson of
East Grand Forks, MN, Melissa Epema of Crookston, MN, Corey (Kari) Brault of
Crookston, MN, Nicole (Gary) Owens of Euclid, MN and Jeremy Brault of Crookston,
MN; grandchildren Mariah, Brianna (fiancé Ryan), Alec, Jenna (Jax), Bryn, Luke,
Patrick, Alex, MacKenze, Miryah, Gavin, Logan, Mykayla, Matthew, Courtney, Teagan,
Brynlie, and Madisyn; great-grandchildren Adeena, Harper, Hadley and another great-
grandchild due to arrive in August. Siblings: Joyce Moehn of Springerville, AZ, twin
sister Delores (Denny) Szekacs of Springfield, OH, Debra (Thomas) Hirsh of Lake
Oswego, OR, Denise (Merwin) Carlson of Moorhead, MN; along with many nieces and
nephews. In-laws: Cynthia Johnson of Crookston, MN, Michelle (Guy) Kruse of Thief
River Falls, MN, Rick (Peggy) Chaput of Crookston, MN, Tim (Shelly) Chaput of Red
Lake Falls, MN, Lisa Hanson of Red Lake Falls, MN, Craig (Carole) Chaput of Red Lake
Falls, MN, Ed (Cherie) Chaput of Red Lake Falls, MN, Dennis (Eileen) Johnson of
Barnesville, MN, and Laura Chaput of St. Hilaire, MN.
Dennis is preceded in death by his parents Henry and Mildred Hanson, sister Myrna
Henrickson, brother-in-law William Moehn, father and mother-in-law Roma and Marie
Chaput, and brother-in-law Marc Chaput.
