The funeral service for Palmer H. Hanson, of rural Oakland, will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Oakland Lutheran Church, rural Oakland. The Rev. Robert Berthold will officiate. Interment will be in Hayward Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea and one hour before the service at the church.

Palmer died Saturday, May 21, 2011, at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea. He was 87 years old.

Palmer was born Sept. 24, 1923, at Hayward, to Peter and Helen (Stoa) Hanson.

He was born and raised north of Hayward and attended Hayward Country School. Palmer took care of the family farm while his brother was in the military service. He married Bernice Hoyne at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. They rented a farm just north of the family farm. In 1958 he purchased the family farm on County Road 46 just south west of Oakland. Palmer was a dairy farmer. He belonged to the Freeborn Mower Electric Board (REA) for 20 years and also belonged to the Clarks Grove Creamery Board. Palmer enjoyed raising and showing cattle at various competitions. He also loved horses. He enjoyed harness racing and worked at Canterbury Park, Shakopee, when it first opened. Palmer is especially known for helping others,

Palmer is survived by two children: Howard Hanson of Austin and his children: Jessica, Jennifer and Laura all of Iowa; Darwin Hanson of Albert Lea, and his children: Cory and James of Albert Lea; great grandchildren: Haylee and Theresa; sister-in-law: Dorothy Holmquist of Albert Lea; and many nieces and nephews.

Palmer was preceded in death by his parents: Peter and Helen Hanson; wife, Bernice Hanson; brother, Bertram Hanson; sister and brother-in-law, Hildred and Norris Sorenson; sister, Esther Hanson; brother and sister-in-law: Alert and Lillian Hoyne, Herbert and Connie Hoyne, Grant Hoyne, Cilford and Arvilla Hoyne, Lloyd Hoyne, Earl and Mary Hoyne.