Mark R Hanson

Mark R Hanson

November 09, 1941 - October 30, 2024

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Obituary

MADISON - Mark Hanson, age 82, died on October 30, 2024, in Madison, Wis., from complications of Parkinson’s disease.  


Mark was born on November 9, 1941, in Eau Claire, Wis., to Ernest Theodore Christian Hanson and Maybelle (Henderson) Hanson. He attended the Campus School, on the UW-Eau Claire campus, and went on to attend UW-Eau Claire.  He transferred to UW-Madison and graduated in 1965, meeting Marilyn Fisher there and marrying her in 1964.


Mark began his career teaching English, journalism, and photography at Appleton West High School the following year.  He transferred to La Follette High School in Madison in 1967, and continued to teach there until 1986, and then worked directly for the Madison School District until his retirement in January 2000.  Throughout his career he was an advisor for student yearbooks and newspapers.  He was an early adopter of computers and taught many teachers how to use word processors and email.  He created the first web site for the district, and developed the district’s cable TV and video production division, eventually producing many original videos for classrooms and television.


Mark was a keen photographer, woodworker, and outdoorsman, and spent many of the best days of his life behind a lens or holding a paddle. He was well-known among his friends and coworkers for organizing long trips into the Boundary Waters of Minnesota, Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, the Alaskan coast, and Isle Royale in Lake Superior.


Mark married Jean Sholts in 1989 and moved to her family farm outside Oregon, Wis.  In his retirement, he enjoyed country life and re-established the Century Trout Farm.  He welcomed many customers who became friends as they visited the beautiful grounds of the trout pond.


Together with neighbor, Myron Bacon, and many members of the community, Mark raised the funds to renovate the Rutland Center Church, whose property borders the Sholts farm, and helped to register the building under the Wisconsin and national Register of Historical Places.


Mark is survived by his wife, Jean Sholts Hanson; and former wife, Marilyn Fisher Hanson, the mother of his children, Scott (Becky) Hanson and Michael (Anne) Hanson; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his brother, Jerry (Mary) Hanson.


A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1150 Park St., Oregon, at 12 noon on Sunday, November 10, 2024. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Sunday. He will be laid to rest at Rutland Center Cemetery.


In lieu of flowers, please a consider a donation of time or money to The Nature Conservancy. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson Oregon

Funeral & Cremation Care

1150 Park St.

(608) 835-3515




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M
Matthew
Other •
Mark was an excellent teacher. I was in his journalism class and learned the fundamentals of still photography from him. He had a lot of energy and a lot of faith in young people. Best to his survivors.
BY
Bev Yelczyn
Other •
I am sad to hear of Mr. Hanson's passing. I loved Mr. Hanson. Journalism my Junior and Senior (1976) year and his first Creative Writing class in '76. He was an inspiration to me and so many others. I remember going to his house to do the paste up for the Lance. He always listened and had a sense of humor. My deepest condolences 💔
JB
Jim Bossingham
Other •
Mark&Jean were one in a million they would come into my shop and it would light up. They made everybody have a good time. He will be missed Jeanne. You have my sympathy. God bless Jim Bossingham.
TW
Tom wiensch
Other •
Mr. Hanson was one of the best teachers I ever had. I took his journalism class at Lafollette in 1977-78. His great teaching inspired a lifelong photography hobby in me. My condolences to his family.
D'
Dan Barry, LaFollette '78
Other •
If Mr Rogers was a high school teacher, Mr Hanson would be his model. I learned so much from this man. As a junior I took his journalism class and became a photo editor for the paper, and editor in chief as a senior. Suffice we spent a fair amount of time together. Mark in his humble, steady way taught me to think critically, question intelligently, reflect thoughtfully, and write clearly. His lessons have served me well and I suspect many others. From editor breakfasts at Lum's, late nights in his basement(s) darkroom printing photos, to meeting with our printer at the Monona Herald, he was there to mentor us to be independent young adults producing a paper we could be proud of. I mourn your loss, but also cherish a life well lived and meaningful to those he knew and influenced. Truly a life well lived.
RR
Richard j Raith
Other •
Great guy, great educator. I remember. Richard j. Raith, La Follette High School, Class of 1977.

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