Myrle Hanson Jr., 80 of Spearfish, passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at Rapid City Regional Hospital in the loving arms of his wife.

Vigil Service will be at 6:30 P.M., Monday, April 16, 2012 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at the church with Father Tim Hoag as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery at 1:30 P.M. near Sturgis, SD. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Ft Meade Veterans Administration Hospice Unit.

Myrle was born on August 12, 1931 to Myrle and Georgia (Peters) Hanson. in Sioux Falls, SD. At a young age the family moved to Buffalo, SD. When he was 11 years old the family moved to Spearfish where he graduated from Spearfish High School and continued his education at Black Hills State College, graduating with a BS in Education. He then entered Naval Officers Candidate School and served three years on the U.S.S. Wren, later serving in Bermuda as Assistant Operation Officer and Athletic Officer. Following his naval career he continued his education, receiving Master's Degrees from the University of Northern Colorado and the University of Utah.

Myrle began his teaching career in 1958 which lasted for over 30 years. He taught and coached at all levels from high school to college, also serving on various committees. He taught and coached in Powell, WY, was the Dean of Men at Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD later becoming the Director of Extension and Continuing Education and Assistant to the Vice President for many years, Outreach Coordinator in Kemmerer, WY for Western Wyoming College, Community Services Coordinator in Kingman, AZ for Mohave Community College, and retiring as Director of Off Campus Programs in Prescott, AZ at Yavapai College.

Myrle married Shirley Doutt and to this union four children were born, Dane, Erik, Mark and Lisa. On February 8, 1993 he married Pamela Staab and the couple has resided in Spearfish since. Together they have traveled the world and worked together for the SD Dept of Tourism.

Myrle was the kind of human being that we all inspire to become, intelligent, humorous and loveable. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Survivors include his wife Pamela of Spearfish; sons, Dane (Patsy) Hanson and Erik Hanson both of Rapid City; six grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; son Mark Hanson and daughter, Lisa Hagen.