Gay E. Hanson, 78 Minot, formerly of Granville died Wednesday, October 15, 2008 in a Minot Hospital surrounded by his loving family after a long, brave battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

Gay was born February 1, 1930 on a farm near Simcoe, ND, the son of Hans and Cora (Fiskvik) Hanson. He attended school in Granville and remained home to farm with his father.

On November 11, 1951, he married Audrey Wagar in Fairview, Montana. For 38 years they made their home on the H. C. Hanson Homestead where they farmed and raised cattle. In addition to farming he worked for Westland Oil and served as an assessor and Judge for Hendrickson Township. In 1997 they moved to Granville and Gay became an active member of the Granville Senior Citizens, where he enjoyed playing cards and visiting with friends.

In 2004 they moved to Minot to be closer to family and soon enjoyed a group that met at the mall for coffee and conversation.

Despite being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 29, he enjoyed snowmobiling, horses, John Deere tractors, playing cards and spending time with family and friends. He attended Hope Congregational Church in Granville.

His loving family includes: wife of 56 years, Audrey; daughters; Gayla (Duane) Haberlock, Minot; Kim (Steve) Baker, Pierre, SD and Juella (Ron) Haase, Fullerton, ND; grandchildren: Dean (Tara) Haberlock, Christina (Brian) Keller, Kelly Baker, and Lacey, Brandon and Brooke Boehm; great -grandchildren Trey, Erica and Drew Haberlock, Ashley Christ and Jacie Keller; brother , Doran Hanson, Granville and sister Shirley Erickson, Granville; a number of nieces , nephews, cousins, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Gay was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Loran Hanson.

Funeral service : Monday, October 20, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. in Hope Congregational Church, Granville.
Interment: Granville Community Cemetery.
Visitation : Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. at Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.