Mencer Alfred Hanson, 91, died March 8 , 2008 at his home in Pekin, North Dakota. He was born October 18, 1916 at Basswood Farm in Nelson County near Pekin, North Dakota to Ole and Ingeborg (Nelson) Hanson. His parents had immigrated from the Hallingdal and Gjøvik areas in Norway. He was baptized at his parent's home at Basswood and confirmed at Mable Lutheran Church in Sutton, ND. He married Helen Roscoe of Binford, ND in 1942. Mencer was a successful farmer in southern Nelson County for his entire life and was the first person in Nelson County to acquire his air-conditioning - refrigeration maintenance permit. Mencer had a wonderful tenor singing voice and enjoyed playing guitar in years past with the Willow Free Church String Band. Later in life he took up playing his beloved drums with a group that performed in retirement homes in the area. Most likely his claim to fame was his good health for so many years and never needing to go to a doctor - all this was mainly attributed to religiously eating his oatmeal every morning.

Survivors include his son, Michael Hanson of Pekin, North Dakota; three daughters, Ronnie Kaye Bradbury (Jim) of Toppenish, Washington, Adele Lewis of Kennewick, Washington, Laura Hanson of Seattle, Washington, seven grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews and cousins.

Mencer was preceded in death by his sisters, Della French, Nina Thykeson, Hilda Hall, Inez Satran, Melvina Vigesaa, his brothers, Obert and Albin Hanson, his parents Ole and Ingeborg Hanson, grandson, Michael James Bradbury and son-in-law, Joseph Lewis.

Mencer's Funeral Service will be held at the Sheyenne Lutheran Church, rural Pekin, ND, on Saturday, March 15, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be the Rev. David Nichols. Interment will be in the spring in the Sheyenne Church Cemetery . Casketbearers will be Dale Quam, Clark Roscoe, Larry French, Michael French, Matt Locken, and Sherman Thykeson. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Memorials are suggested to the Sheyenne Lutheran Church.