Martin Leslie Hanson

Posted Dec 11, 2024 | 9:01 AM

Martin Leslie Hanson, born Jan 15,1944 in Lloydminster. He grew up on the family farm in the Earlie District south of Kitscoty, AB. He went to the Earlie school, leaving at an early age to join the work force. Martin worked at various jobs from farmhand, driving heavy equipment, building roads, pushing bush to clear land for farmers and building oil leases and roadways. At this time, he was employed by McAllister Construction, wages were $2/hr. for operating time and $1/hr. for shop and repair time. While at McAllister’s, Martin made lifelong friends. This included one adventurous winter in 1965 in Northern Alberta and BC where wages were much higher than Lloyd and area.

Martin met Marlene through mutual friends, and they were married June 8,1966. That spring, Martin rented some land in the Wildwood district not far from his parents’ home. Martin and Marlene moved onto the farm and began their small mixed farming operation. Martin also kept working in construction for Charlie Selte, who became a lifelong friend. By now Martin was on the look to purchase land, both he and Marlene wanted to farm; farmland in this area was far to expensive for someone with no backing. When visiting some of Marlene’s family they heard of land in the Glenbogie District west of St. Walburg. They purchased 5 quarters in Nov 1968, to many, it was nothing more than a bunch of trees and stones.

Family, friends and neighbors moved them, Martin always said it was one of his best decisions. Martin immediately became friends with Ray Webster and Bill Forbes, adding many more to this list as years passed. Martin continued working construction to buy extras for improving the farm. A new venture was logging as there was an abundance of Spruce on their land. The lumber was then traded, sold or used to build bins corrals and buildings. The crew usually took lumber for pay except for the mill owner. These were busy times because there were still the farming chores.

Martin joined the Ag Society where he became a timekeeper for the flat and chuckwagon races at the local fair. Martin was a “behind the scenes” worker, enjoying the friends he made along the way.

Nov. 1969, Uncle Frank Leer came to stay and introduced Martin to moose hunting, a sport he fell in love with and never missed for 40 plus years.

There were a few things Martin didn’t enjoy: #1was the milk cows, #2the goat we had because of a lactose intolerant child.

Soon into farming, pigs replaced the milking and eventually by increasing the cattle herd and land base; coinciding with the chore boy and girls leaving the nest, the pigs also left the farm.

Martin was a great dad to his 3 children, the best grandpa/ g ’pa, to his 5 grandchildren and loved his son and daughter in laws as his own.

Martin leaves behind his wife Marlene, Children Lorna (Rob), Les (Sandy), Raelene. Grandkids Koby, Tristan and Halle Hanson, Ryna and Evan Humniski. His in-laws: Dorothy Volk, Georgina Leer, Oscar(Lucille) Leer, Deloris Volk, Clarence(Pat) Leer, Elizabeth Simmonds, Bill Leer , Sandra(Richard) Salzl, Marrianne(Geoff) Bourne ,and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by Parents, Marinus and Joy Hanson, mother and father in-laws Katherine & Clem Leer, In-laws: George Leer, Gabe and Max Volk, Jeannie Leer and Ron Simmonds.

A Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024 at the Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, St. Walburg, Saskatchewan.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, St. Walburg, Saskatchewan.

If so desired, donations in memory of Martin may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Martin Leslie Hanson, please visit our floral store.

Date : 2024-12-07