Jay Duffus Hanson of Minneapolis died peacefully on November 3, 2017 after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer.
He was born in St. James, Minnesota to Lloyd Willard and Margaret Duffus Hanson on September 28, 1937. He had one brother, Todd Hanson of Alexandria, Virginia, who survives him. He spent his early years attending school in St. James and visiting Lake Okoboji with his extended family. In 1943, his father served in the U.S. Army at George Field, Illinois, where the family lived until 1944. The family returned to St. James and lived there until moving to Pipestone, Minnesota in 1949.
He graduated from Pipestone High School in 1955, where he met his future wife, Madge Nathe. He attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a major in philosophy and a minor in fine art. He went on to receive a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary. Later in life he was an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Business in Minneapolis.
He began his ministry in 1962 at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Minnetonka, Minnesota. In 1964 he became chaplain at the University of North Dakota.
His professional career brought him to Minneapolis in 1970 where he worked for Hennepin County and Medtronic. He opened Jay D. Hanson & Associates in 1985.
Throughout his adult life he remained involved in the Episcopal Church, serving many church communities, including St. John in the Wilderness in White Bear Lake and St. Edward’s in Wayzata. Most recently he served as interim priest at Church of the Messiah in Rhinebeck, New York from 2009-2010.
He was passionately involved in issues affecting the communities his family was a part of, including school desegregation, notably Hale- Field school pairing in Minneapolis. Through his community and ministerial engagement, he leaves a legacy of fierce passion for social justice and equality.
His extended family is grateful for the many examples he set for living a life of purpose and meaning. His interests in his family, the wilderness, the arts, education, spirituality and service to others continue to live in each of us. We especially remember our many family camping adventures throughout North America as well as visiting Dad and Mom during their many years living on the Gunflint Trail in northern Minnesota.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Madge Nathe Hanson, as well as four sons, their wives and nine grandchildren: Jeremy and Mary Hanson (Graham, Ana, Maddy) of Richfield, Minnesota; Graham and Posie Hanson (Maggie, Amy) of Rhinebeck, New York; Stephen and Tara Hanson (Ella) of New York, New York; and Greg and Lisa Hanson (Kate, Charlie, Sarah) of San Jose, California.
A memorial service of evening prayer will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any memorial gifts be made to either the Hale-Field Foundation (www.halefield.org) or St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral (www.ourcathedral.com).
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