Richard “Rick” Louis Hanson, 79, of Dubuque, passed away surrounded by his loving family late Sunday evening, September 13, 2026.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd, is assisting the family.

“Ricky Baby” was born in Jamestown, North Dakota to Pearl (Edwards) and Floyd Hanson on February 5, 1947.

After struggling to make ends meet in Jamestown, the Hanson family moved to Minot, North Dakota in 1950.

As a toddler, Rick got himself into a whole bunch of mischief.  He once got a hold of some kerosene, drank it, and had to have his stomach pumped.  He also once wandered too far from home and got lost. The police were called and finally located him. Little Ricky received a good spanking when he got home that day.

As Rick entered his teen years he began working at the Minot Country Club. While there, he would enjoy being a caddy, followed by caddy master, and finally ending up as the club’s pro shop manager.  One day while he was working in the pro shop, legendary coach for the Green Bay Packers, Vince Lombardi, walked through the door.  Rick recognized him instantly. After pretending to browse around the shop for a bit, Mr. Lombardi would say, “looks like I’m going to need to buy some golf clubs.” “It seems I have forgotten mine at home.”  Rick, being the gentleman he was, had said, “why don’t you just use mine and save yourself some money Mr. Lombardi?”  And so, with a chuckle, he did just that.  And when Vince returned to the pro shop after his round of golf, he’d say, “the clubs didn’t do too much for me kid, but here you go.” “Thanks a lot” handing Rick $100.00.

–Rick would tell that story many times and while doing so, he would always be regretfully asking, “Why didn’t I ask for his autograph?!”

Rick graduated from Minot High School (Go Magicians) and spent the next couple of years at Minot State College working as a bartender and as a mixologist at a  concrete mixing company. After getting into many shenanigans in Minot, realizing college wasn’t for him, he hopped in his car and left town.

Speeding down Highway 52, heading Southeast, selecting the right radio stations to help keep himself awake, the road became winding and almost unmanageable. So he finally decided to bring the car to a stop in the town which his younger sister had recently moved. A town surrounded by bluffs on the banks of the mighty Mississippi river, Dubuque, Iowa. *He would make Dubuque his home for the rest of his life.*

Having a strong work ethic from summers on his Uncle Bud’s farm, Rick understood he would need to get himself a job as soon as possible.

Rick landed a job almost instantly. It was at St. Regis Paper Company, later becoming Georgia Pacific, where he would retire from over 40 years later.

Because he had chosen to become a Dubuquer, Rick would have to start cheering for different professional sports teams if he was going to survive in his new community. The Chicago Cubs replaced the Minnesota Twins; the Chicago Bears replaced the Minnesota Vikings. And if it was college ball, the Hawkeyes it would certainly be.

 His passion for golf still blazed while living in Dubuque.  Rick played nearly every course in the area and even won a couple of tournaments. Later in his life, there would be an incident on the golf course that Rick would claim nearly killed him.  Story goes; he was out playing in a work sponsored golf tournament when storm clouds rolled in.  Thinking they could finish the round before any danger presented itself, he and the other golfers continued to play.  Suddenly, as he pulled the flag stick from the cup, lightning struck the pin and his hair stood up on end. A few years later Rick would have a pacemaker installed for arrhythmia.  He would always claim that his arrhythmia stemmed from that lightning strike.

Family- Where Life Begins and Love Never Ends

On August 16, 1975, Rick, as he would put it, had the good sense to marry Diane Root and create 2 wonderful children together; David Michael and Dawn Marie. Down the road he would be blessed with some beautiful grandchildren.

After 14 years, the bride and groom had to part ways as their path diverged.  However, by keeping the line of communication open, Rick and Diane were able to enter a reconciled partnership nearly 30 years later. The updated wise partners would buy a mobile home together, become roommates, and be there for each other in their elder years.  It serves as testimony that Rick and Diane’s strong will to build an everlasting friendship, is what made over 52 years of memories together.

In Rick’s “golden grandpa” years, he loved spending time with his grandchildren going to the movies, playing mini golf, and going out to dinner. Many times, he would be in attendance at their after-school sports and drama activities, supporting them with plenty of hootin’ and hollerin’!

Rick never held back on how his family brought him so much pride and joy.

Rick’s memory will be carried on through the ages by his close friends and family.

Survivors are the love of his life, Diane (Noodles), along with his son David, his daughter Dawn (Steven), his grandchildren, Jack, Orion, Rhiannon, and Brayden. His siblings, Carol Schmidt, and Randy Hanson of Minot, North Dakota and Sue Hotchkin of Dubuque, Iowa. Amongst nieces and nephews and extended family which Rick had plenty.

Rick was preceded in death by his mother, father, and very special family friend Dave.

Rick’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals that assisted with his healthcare throughout the years.