Ontario - August “Auggie” Oakley Hanson age 94 of Rural Ontario, passed away on Saturday, April 29th, 2023, after a brave and courageous battle with bladder cancer and the complications that followed. He was born on March 12, 1929, to Otto and Nellie (Winchel) Hanson of Purdy Valley (rural Viroqua). He was one of 8 children in his family. He attended school at Purdy Valley School, through the 8th grade. At the age of 17, Auggie’s family moved to rural Ontario where he worked on the family farm.
In 1952 he was drafted into the US army and fought in the Korean Conflict as a tank commander, 3rd Armored Division. On April 22nd, 1953, he was wounded by an enemy sniper. He was later awarded a purple heart, along with many other medals, for his dedication to our country.
On October 11th, 1954, he married Mary Ellen Wacker, daughter of Herman and Lucille Wacker, of Ontario. Auggie & Mary rented a farm in rural Ontario until 1956 when they purchased a farm in Brush Creek, west of Ontario. There they ran a successful dairy farm, grew tobacco, and raised their 4 sons. In 1986 they sold their dairy farm, except for the acreage across the road, and moved to Sparta. Auggie then got a job at Fort McCoy, where he worked for the next 10 years. He worked various jobs there, and eventually became a bus driver. He enjoyed talking to the different service members during the bus rides, and always had stories to tell his loved ones later about who he had met and where he had been. In 1996, after Auggie chose to end his bus driving career, they sold their home in Sparta and built a new house back on their property in Brush Creek. Auggie was a very caring and compassionate person. He took pride in being an active member of the Ontario American Legion, post 467. He loved his Massey Ferguson tractors, talking about cars and trucks, deer hunting, hayrides, watching Wisconsin Badger Basketball, driving his Kubota UTV, gardening, tending to their cats Marlie & Milo, and most of all spending time with his beloved family. The old farmhouse on the property, and a pole shed that was built along the way, has always provided a wonderful gathering place for family and friends to enjoy picnics and weekend getaways, which provided much fun and laughter for all.
Auggie is survived by his loving wife Mary Ellen of 68 ½ years, his children, Gary (Mitzi) Hanson of Onalaska, Mike (Karen) Hanson of Reedsburg, Brian (Jane) Hanson of La Crosse & Todd (Vickie) Hanson of Sparta, grandchildren Heath (Krista) Hanson, Tara (Tony) Scarpone, Melissa (Kurt) Southworth, Isaac (Amanda) Hanson, Clayton (Julie) Hanson, Ben (Erin) Hanson, Emily (Shawn) Gallagher, Kelsey (Justin) Hanson & Tyler (Alora) Hanson, great grandchildren Xander, Micah, Alexa, Kirsten, Alek, Kate, Alayna, Drew, Bennett, Liv, Ellie, Conner, Caleb & Caitlin, sisters Betty & Ona, sister in-law Eunice, special family friend Lynn Jerome, and many other extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Otto & Nellie, his siblings Olga, Orbin, Leona, Otto Jr. & Bonnie, his father in-law Herman Wacker, mother in-law Lucille Wacker-Schaefer and stepfather in-law Fred Schaefer.
August’s family would like to thank Theresa Nichols home care giver, Leslie Las & Ann Anderson from the Tomah VA and Gundersen Health System staff, for all of the wonderful care they provided their father. They treated him with dignity and respect- thank you.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, May 6, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cashton, WI. Burial with full military honors will follow in the St. Mary’s Ridge Catholic Cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church.
The Torkelson Funeral Home of Cashton, WI, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com
Torkelson Funeral Home
