Ralph Wallace Hanson, age 97, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 6, 2026, at Glenview Assisted Living in Shell Lake, WI. He was born on July 28, 1928, in Minneapolis, MN, the son of Phillip and Olga (Thompson) Hanson. He was united in marriage to Joyce Audrey Kommerstad on September 9, 1950, in Minneapolis.

Ralph proudly served his country in the United States Naval Air Corps. He joined to train as a pilot in 1946.

Ralph graduated in 1950 from the University of Minnesota, earning his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He took his first engineering position with General Motors in Kansas City before moving to Maryland to work for the Aberdeen Proving Grounds.

Ralph started Ordnance Associates Inc. in Pasadena, CA, with two partners. He also worked at Jet Propulsion Labs. He later started Technical Ordnance in Minnesota.

Ralph took ownership of Stresau Laboratory in 1977 and ran the company until his son took over upon his retirement in 1996.

Ralph had a love for tinkering and developed many unique gadgets and ideas. One of the family favorites was ArtiSands, a sand painting kit using precut picture patterns.

Ralph loved all things Mickey Mouse, as he and Mickey were born in the same year. He also loved the Minnesota Vikings. He had a deep appreciation for music and loved to sing.

Family was most important to Ralph, and he loved to share his love for pheasant hunting, fishing trips to Canada, and pontoon rides on the lake with all of them. In his retired years, he developed a passion for archeology. He took some courses and had the opportunity to travel to several archeological digs.

Ralph enjoyed good food, especially good lefsa, and absolutely loved to eat.

He is survived by his children, Jay (Sandy), Wayne (Patti), Elizabeth (Andrew) Ehrlichmann; his grandchildren, Michael (Michelle), Lauren (Robert), Mark (Michelle), and Tyler (Ashley); and his great-grandchildren, Max, Beaux, June, Charlotte, Adeline, Sloane, Parker and Randi; his brother, Richard (Roberta) Hanson; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

In addition to his parents, Ralph is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joyce, and his sister, Gloria Brown.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 P.M. on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at the Spooner Funeral Home, 306 Rusk Street in Spooner.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at Spooner United Methodist Church, 312 Elm Street in Spooner, where visitation will be held from 11:00 A.M. until the hour of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Wounded Warriors Project, Tunnels to Towers Foundation, or a military charity of the donor’s choice.

Last Update: Jul 14, 2026 7:55 am CDT