James W. Hanson, 96, of Albert Lea, formerly of Kiester, died Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, at St. John’s Lutheran Community. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Interment will be in Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery and the Rev. Katie Pals will officiate.  

Jim was born May 7, 1918, in rural Ottertail County to Edwin and Marie (Hedberg) Hanson. He attended school in Battle Lake. Jim went on to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Army Signal Crop. Following his honorable discharge he worked in Minneapolis until November 1946, when he purchased a hardware store in Kiester.

Jim married Elna Kaus Hischke Aug. 10, 1946. Together they operated the hardware store until his retirement in 1986.

Jim was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, where he served on many committees. He was a lifetime member of the Kiester American Legion, the local Lions Club, Kiester Fire Department and Kiester Civic and Commerce.

Jim is survived by his daughter-in-law, Mary Hischke, of Minneapolis and granddaughter, Karter Hischke, of Arroyo Grande, California.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepson, Marc Hischke; brothers Nels and Art; and sisters Olive Lien and Edna Larson.