Monty W. "Sonny" Hanson

Monty (Sonny) William Hanson was born to Monte W. and Agatha M. (Ruhl) Hanson on November 3, 1942 at York, Nebraska. He passed away on October 8, 2019 at the Fairview Manor in Fairmont, Nebraska at the age of 76 years, 11 months, and 5 days. He was an only child. Sonny attended high school in Exeter and graduated in 1961. After graduation, he started farming with his dad and farmed until retirement in 2004. On January 25, 1964, Sonny married Dianne Perkins, daughter of Kenneth and Erma Perkins, of Fairmont, Nebraska. They were blessed with two children, five grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren. As a boy, he traveled with his parents on a custom combining crew from Oklahoma to South Dakota. He was driving a combine by age 10. He loved playing football in high school and later they enjoyed going to Nebraska football and basketball games. He enjoyed attending sales, collecting tokens, and loved the casinos. Ice cream and sweets were his weakness, and the grandkids knew he always kept a “candy can” in his pickup and combine. Sonny loved the Exeter community and was an active member of the Exeter United Church of Christ and served on the church board. He was a hard worker throughout his life and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Sonny and Dianne loved to travel and have been to all 50 states, Canada, and Mexico. After retiring, they enjoyed being “snowbirds” for several winters in Yuma, Arizona. Although he struggled with Parkinson’s since 2006, he always kept a positive attitude and continued to travel and attend his grandkid’s activities. He was preceded in death by his parents Monte & Agatha; grandparents Giles & Anna Hanson and Allie & Theresa Ruhl. He is survived by his loving wife Dianne; children JoDeen (Phil) Swartz of Exeter, Mark and fiancé Angela Farmer of Lincoln; grandchildren Kelsey and Tyler Swartz of Lincoln, Trevor Swartz of Exeter, Ryen Ann Hanson of Tuscon, Arizona, Bailey Hanson of Lincoln, Dalton Carter of Lincoln, Aeva and Mason Farmer of Lincoln, and by many friends. A Funeral Service for Sonny was held on Monday, October 14, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Church of Christ in Exeter, Nebraska. Pastor Stuart Davis officiated the Funeral Service. Shirley Milton accompanied Mike Bristol in the singing of “These Hands Of Mine” and “In The Garden.” Shirley also accompanied the congregation in the singing of “Amazing Grace.” Pallbearers for the service included Jack Underwood, Larry Cudaback, Butch Jansen, Paul Jensen, John C. Miller, and Alan Songster. Honorary Pallbearers included Kelsey Swartz, Tyler Swartz, Trevor Swartz, Dalton Carter, Ryen Ann Hansen, Bailey Hanson, Aeva Farmer, and Mason Farmer. Interment was held in the Exeter Cemetery following the Funeral Service. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com. Memorials are suggested to the United Church Of Christ in Exeter, Nebraska or the Fairview Manor in Fairmont, Nebraska.

Tributes

Monty W. "Sonny" Hanson

November 3, 1942 - October 8, 2019