Samuel Christian Hanson, age 81 of Ingleside Nursing Home in Mount Horeb, formerly of Monroe and rural Blanchardville died on January 3, 2026, at Ingleside. He was born in Monroe to Ever Herman & Dorothe Margaret (Johnson) Hanson. He grew up in Argyle, where the family operated a small hobby farm. He attended school in Argyle and graduated from the Argyle High School in 1962. He worked with his father Ever in Ever’s carpentry and farm work. He joined the Army Reserves in 1965 where he served as a combat engineer out of Dodgeville until 1971. In his younger years, he did some carpentry and framing work, as well as some farming work. He attended technical school in Fennimore, WI for a year to learn the building trades. In 1980 he attended realty school and became a Real Estate Agent for 39 years with the Zwygart Century 21 agency. He was based in Monroe for most of his career. He was honored by Lafayette County as Forester of the Year in 1979 and 1985. Although he had no children of his own, he loved and adored his nieces and nephews. Sam had an English Bulldog, Roger, who was also a big part of his life. The two had similar personalities and were always there for each other. Sam also was an avid berry picker. His idea of a good time was taking a chainsaw and cutting down junk trees. He loved growing pumpkins, gourds and squash. He also knew where all the good fish fries were! He was a member of the Ostestaden Monroe chapter of the Sons of Norway. He also did some baking, being great at making Lefse, Rosettes and Key Lime Pie. He made over a thousand bluebird houses, which are scattered all over Lafayette County.
Sam did his best to live by the words, “If you want to do good, then you can accomplish a lot of things. If you choose not to do good, you will just make a mess out of things.” His generosity and service throughout his life is proof of this and an inspiration for how others should live. With Sam gone, the world is a little less kind, a little less funny, and a little less quirky.
Sam is survived by his two brothers, Russell (Vanessa) Hanson of Onalaska, Wisconsin and Terrence (Cathy) Hanson of Janesville; nieces and nephews Hans, Erik, Thurston, Chandra, Laura, Adam, Kara, Lois, Leif, Linda, Jill, David; and many beloved great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Douglas; and his beloved dog, Roger.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials which the family will use to plant trees in honor of Sam’s love and vast knowledge of trees and forestry.
A visitation for Samuel will be held on Monday, January 12, 2026, from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at Blanchard Hall at 204 South Main Street. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Yellowstone Lutheran Church in rural Blanchardville. The service will be livestreamed on the Saether Funeral Service Facebook page. Rev. Dan Bohlman will officiate. Burial will be in the Yellowstone Lutheran cemetery. Saether Funeral Service of Blanchardville is assisting the family.
