Obituary of Carl C. Hanson

Carl Casper Hanson of Parker, Colorado passed away peacefully at home on August 23rd, 2023 from complications from cancer and COVID. Carl was born on 01/15/1930 in Osakis, MN, to Carl Sr (a decorated WWI veteran) and Myrtle Hanson. Growing up in a small mid-west town, and helping on the family farm, Carl always considered himself a farm-boy.

Carl was very popular in High School and made many friends. He was active in every sport/club/activity the school offered. During his summers he worked in northern Minnesota for a canoe outfitter. He loved his days in the northern boundary waters and was able to revisit the area in his early 70’s to share with family.

After graduating from high school Carl joined the Navy during the Korean War. While at corpsman training Carl met his future wife, Shirley McOmber. Carl spent a year on the battle ship Iowa, in active duties, separating him from his wife and new born daughter. After the war Carl got his pharmacy degree from the University of Minnesota. He started raising his family in Bloomington MN. Carl moved his family to Colorado in the early 1970’s to encourage more outdoor activities and enjoy the splendor of the rocky Mountains.

Carl was a dedicated father and worked very hard to support his family of 9 children. Carl never knew what retirement was. His passion was to help people. Carl and Shirley’s son Martin Jon was autistic, and they realized the benefit of horses when they bought one for Jon. They founded Praying Hands Ranch (PHR), a therapeutic horse program for handicap children in the mid-1980’s. While building PHR Carl also worked as a pharmacist and started 2 businesses. He has always an advocate of homeopathic remedies (striving to minimize use of commercial pharmaceuticals). Carl and Shirley were very active in PHR until a few years ago when health forced Shirley and Carl to slow down. PHR is very active and still benefits many people.

Carl’s wife of 71 years, and love of his life, Shirley passed away in 2022. His son Jon passed away in 2016.

Carl is survived by: brother Eugene of Mn; Children: Michele (Gayland) Niblock of MO, Michael (Anita) of Idaho, Melissa (Thomas) Wheatley of Utah, Marlene of CO, Melodee (Tracy) Martin of WA, Mary of CO, Mark (Mari) of WA, Matthew of CO. Phil Auteri of CO. 14 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be at the Parker Evangelical Presbyterian Church (PEPC) in Parker, Colorado, September 18th at 2:30 pm. Please consider donations to Praying Hands Ranch in Parker, CO, in memory of Carl & Shirley.