John "Jack" Hanson was born in Dubuque in 1938. After a full 88 years of life, he died peacefully between one breath and the next on Sunday, May 24, 2026, knowing his children were surrounding him with love and gratitude. No accounting of Jack's life would be complete without first mentioning the love of his life, Shirley, who died in September of 2023. For 64 years, the two of them shared everything. They raised six children, welcomed 7 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren (with #9 expected soon). Their love was a bright line, easily seen even in the darkest times. And while their lives were an example to their family and their communities, the light of their love is what remained until the very last.

Jack was engaged in community service for much of his life, in Dubuque, IA, Hastings, MN and Loveland, OH. He was active in local and state Jaycee's, chaired a school bond issue campaign, served actively on numerous community-wide event and celebration committees. He was most known, though, for his work on social justice concerns: safe housing and health care for troubled young adults; racial and economic justice; campaigns for peace. Once asked how he became engaged and energized to this work, Jack credited Shirley with opening his eyes to inequalities, prejudice, and injustices and helping him to become a person who fought for change. He and Shirley were also active in their church communities.

For many years, Jack worked as a manager of physical distribution in the fertilizer industry. At the same time, he maintained an avid avocation in writing both op-ed pieces and humor. He had some small commercial success with his self-published pamphlets, most notably Hey Youse Gize, Whatcha Gonna Do in Dubuque?. When his first career disappeared due to economic factors, he was blessed to have a meaningful second act in communications for Hillcrest Family Services in Dubuque.

Upon retirement, Jack and Shirley took on their biggest adventure - leaving the midwest and moving to New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment. They traveled the west by car, camping and hiking and enjoying the great natural beauty and interesting cultural sites. At their home, they created a little bit of Iowa in their backyard, planting and maintaining a lush oasis with an actual patch of green grass. Jack never tired of seeing Sandia Peak rise over the greater Albuquerque metro and most days was heard to say at least once, with gusto: "Another day in paradise!"

Jack was preceded in death by his beloved Shirley, and by his parents (Marie Augustine Hanson, Dorothy Gilson Hanson and Joe Hanson), by his brother and sisters (Joe Hanson, Rosie Klein, Betty Houselog and Eleanor Peiffer). Jack is survived by his sister (Mary Jo Townsend of Florida) and by his six children and their families (Christine and David Finnegan, Tucson, AZ; Jenifer Hanson, Rio Rancho, NM; Jeff and Marsha Hanson, Traverse City, MI; Gwen and Kirk Brown, Sandia Park, NM; Anne Hanson, Seattle, WA; Matt and Maria Hanson, Chicago, IL). Jack's numerous nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren thought Jack was the best. A conversation overheard by two great-granddaughters sums it up: one of the girls said she loved Grandpa Jack because he was so funny. The other responded, "Grandpa Jack isn't just funny, he's magic!" Jack remained both funny AND magic to those of us who loved him until his final breath.

The family plans a funeral mass in Albuquerque at a later date. Memorials may be sent to Hillcrest Family Services of Dubuque, Iowa.