Donald L. Hanson of Valley City, ND passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2018.  He was 81. Don was born on May 13, 1936 and graduated from Sisseton, SD High School.  He went on to earn a journalism degree at South Dakota State University and participated in the ROTC program.  He joined the U.S. Army in 1961 and served two tours in Vietnam.  Don was honorably discharged from active duty in 1973, earning the rank of Major.  After the Army, he continued his government career in the civil service.  One of the many interesting responsibilities he had under Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter, was to coordinate White House State functions such as Inaugurations, State Dinners, State Funerals, etc.

He retired from 33 years of government service in 1995.  In 1998, he moved to Valley City to be closer to family.  He became active in the local V.F.W Post 2764, serving as post commander for two years. In addition he administered the V.F.W's "Voice of Democracy" scholarship program.  His many hobbies included gardening, photography, fishing and playing cards.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, DeWain Sjoberg.  He is survived by his sister, Carolyn Timm of Valley City, his brothers, Bernell (Gwen) Iverson and Ronald (Jan) Sjoberg of AZ.  Additional survivors include a nephew Joby Timm of Roanoke, VA, Cindy (Andy) Wieland of Fargo, ND and Kristy (Brad) Walters of Smithville, AR, 2 great nephews and 3 great nieces.

Celebration of Life Service will be Friday, April 27, 2018 at 10am at the Lerud-Schuldt-Mathias Funeral Home Chapel.  Burial will be at the ND Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, ND at 3pm the same day.

Lerud-Schuldt-Mathias Funeral Home is assisting Don's family with arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.lerudschuldt.com