Ralph Raymond Hanson, 97, born August 14 ^th 1924 in Turtle Lake, North Dakota, died November 19, 2021 at his home in Brea, California.  His loving wife, Delores, and family were at his side as he passed away peacefully in the quiet of the night.  It was his wish to pass away in his home surrounded by his family, and his long years simply came to their final end. God bless his sweet spirit.  He was an honest, big-hearted man and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Ralph left behind a loving list of mourning family members.  While his two oldest sons, Gary and Craig, preceded him in death, he left behind his two remaining sons, Grant and Kent.  Included also in surviving him are his granddaughters, Hayley (Berto) and Carolyn, and his great grandson, Cannon.

His mother, Katherine, and father, Henry, were farmers who inherited their farmland in Turtle Lake, North Dakota from their own fathers and grandfathers.  Ralph grew up farming as a continued generation, and his connection to it never stopped.  Even after his youthful commitments to his family farm ended due to joining the USA army for military duty in World War II, he returned home with an honorable discharge to Turtle Lake.  That was in the year 1946.  He always remained proud of his military service to his country.

Ralph then earned a degree in education and became a school teacher, yet he always managed to keep his farming ownership intact.  It was a part of him, and he would never let go of his family roots.  He left his family with farmland in remembrance of him.  In 1949 he met and married Delores Haake.  They shared their final goodbye after being married 72 years.

Ralph earned a teaching college degree and moved from North Dakota and personally attending to farming in 1954.  He found a school teaching position in Placentia, California at Kraemer Junior High School and began living in Santa Ana, California in 1957.  He quickly earned a Master's Degree in education from Chapman University in the nearby city of Orange, in Orange County, California.

Realizing it was difficult to support a wife and four sons, he began and enjoyed working part-time at the newly opened and famous Disneyland, California in the autumn of 1957.  He juggled his teaching life and part-time position as a fire engine driver in Disneyland for a great many rewarding years.  It wasn't until 1985 that he retired from his teaching position, and it was 1989 be stopped working at Disneyland.

Quickly, he started playing golf, just to be able to spend time with his son's, Grant and Kent.  It was incredible to begin playing golf at his older age, but he put his mind to it and the frustrations of the new sport became fun to him.

Ralph was particular about how honest a golf ball should be played, because he had to hit every ball into the hole regardless of how close it may have initially landed, or have been putted next to it.  There were no gimmie's about his play of golf.  It showed a basic function of his character habits.  He continued the habits he was brought up with from his youth and simply being part of what is commonly known as the "Greatest Generation."  He respected anyone who worked hard, took care of his family and finished whatever task was placed in front of them.

Ralph amplified that simple work ethic throughout his own life.  He demanded no special honor from his family, or all of those that did follow and prosper because of his sacrifices.  He was challenged with great obstacles and despite his achievements in overcoming them he remained remarkably humble.  He leaves behind a life well lived, with happy memories for those that shared his kind, generous and warm company.    And, quoting Shakespeare, "…And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."  Goodbye dearest member of our family.  With God's grace upon you, Goodbye.

Ralph's graveside Christian burial ceremony will be held on the 14th of December, 2021, Tuesday at 11:00am in the Turtle Lake cemetery.  It will be conducted with military honors, due to his honorable discharge from his Army service during World War II.