Jerome Hanson, 83

Jerome I. "Jerry" Hanson passed away at 83 years young on Sept. 23, 2026, in Kalispell. He was born on Jan. 22, 1943, in New Richmond, Wisconsin, to Lloyd Hanson and Lillian Berquam Hanson. He joined brothers Leroy and Jim.

The family relocated to Kalispell in 1945, where Jerry's dad was the lead mechanic for Croskrey Motors. Brother Marlin was born in 1949. Jerry attended the original Edgerton Elementary School and graduated from Flathead High School in 1961. 

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1961 as an auto repairman. Jerry returned from the Fontenet, France, Army base shortly after the passing of his dad in 1963 and continued his service in the Reserves.

Jerry married Whitefish native Renee DeVall in 1966. They welcomed daughters Krista and Kari. Jerry and Renee later divorced. 

Jerry had a variety of different occupations over the years. He was a mechanic, Bitney's Furniture delivery and appliance repairman, mobile home and car salesman, insurance agent, proprietor at Reeder's Alley General Store in Helena, poker dealer and golf starter at Buffalo Hills Golf Course later in life.

He lived in Nevada, Washington, Idaho, Utah and Helena, eventually returning to Kalispell. 

Jerry was a car enthusiast his entire life. He bought the first 1964 GTO in the state of Montana. He loved street racing and drag racing, building cars and mechanic work, which he learned from his dad. Jerry had a unique knack for glancing at a vintage car and announcing the correct year, make and model. 

He enjoyed his Norwegian heritage and always looked forward to making homemade lefse and cookies. Uff da! 

Throughout his life, he enjoyed drawing, creating beautiful stained glass pieces, acrylic paintings, macrame and was an incredible handyman. He enjoyed playing poker and golf.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Lillian Hanson; brothers James "Jim" Hanson and Lloyd "Leroy" Hanson; great-grandson Carter Lamoreaux and nephew Donnie Hanson.

He is survived by daughters Krista Hanson and Kari (Mark) Hooper; granddaughter Mileah (Rayan) Roberts; grandson Brock Hooper; great-grandson Blake Lamoreaux; great-granddaughter Sylvia Young; brother Marlin (Susan) Hanson; sisters-in-law Darleen Hanson and Ardelle Hanson; many nieces and nephews; long-term companion Brenda Crockett; former wife Renee Berner; lifelong buddy Larry Floren and many other special friends.

Please join us in celebrating Jerry's life on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Northridge Lutheran Church in Kalispell. Light refreshments to follow. A private family interment will be held in the afternoon at Fairview Cemetery in Columbia Falls.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Jerry's caring providers over the years: Dr. Sefi Knoble at Kalispell VA Clinic, Dr. Eve Gillespie, Dr. Bret Lindsay, home health aide Mary'l Luntsford, and the staff at Brendan House.