Gunnar Hanson

A memorial service was held Saturday, November 12, 2022 for Gunnar Alan Hanson at the Delta Elementary Auditorium in Delta Junction, Alaska.
Gunnar Alan Hanson passed away unexpectedly on Monday, September 19, 2022 in Clovis, New Mexico.
Gunnar was born in Missoula, Montana on June 21, 2000 to Todd Alan Hanson and Cheryl Elizabeth (Loobey) Hanson. Shortly after his birth, he returned with his family to Alaska. Gunnar lived in the villages of Stebbins and Brevig Mission until moving to Delta Junction in 2003. There he was raised and educated at Delta Elementary, Fort Greely Middle School, and Delta High School until graduating in 2018.
Gunnar participated in several sports throughout his time in school. Mostly he participated in wrestling and soccer. Although Gunnar wasn’t the most athletic person, he loved being part of a team. He was always extremely enthusiastic and supportive of his teammates and loved to cheer them on. Being a part of the team brought him closer to his friends and allowed him to spend more time with them.
Gunnar enjoyed playing airsoft with his dad, playing videos, listening to music, photography, creating videos, drawing, painting, and cooking.
He had a passion for fashion and loved to repurpose recycled clothing. He used his imagination to create unique dyes and designs. It wasn’t uncommon to have 3 or 4 rough totes full of different clothing dyes piled up in the backyard waiting for his next project. He was always more than happy to give his creations to friends or develop a special item upon a friend’s request. His cousin Zachery (Zac) says Gunnar had a genuine knack for fashion and believed he could have made it a profession and sold his designs if given more time.
He enjoyed cooking and was very creative with his recipes, which seemed to always turn out in an amazing way. Zac recalls Gunnar especially liked making hot sauces and preserves. When he moved in with his grandmother last fall, she was very impressed with his cooking. He made her many wonderful meals.
Gunnar was good-natured, compassionate, tenderhearted, and very forgiving. He had an infectious smile that would warm your heart instantly. Gunnar was always willing to help out anyone in need, friend or foe. He received a card from a friend once that said: “Friends are powerful medicine for the soul.” That is just who Gunnar was. He loved his friends and always wanted to spend time with them and would do anything to support them.
Gunnar worked during summers for the Buffalo Center Drive-In and started subbing as a custodian and aid at Delta Elementary School. Gunnar always wanted to travel and live in a warmer climate, so in 2019 he left for Albuquerque, NM and worked as a custodian for the University of New Mexico. The pandemic
took a mental toll on Gunnar so when Todd and Cheryl retired and moved back to Montana in 2021 Gunnar traveled north in the fall to be closer to family.
He worked for Flathead Janitorial and Backslope Brewing until the spring of 2021 when he returned to his roots in Delta Junction hoping to reconnect with friends. There he worked for the Buffalo Center Drive-In until the fall. He had recently relocated to Clovis, New Mexico with good intentions of working for Eastern New Mexico University and earning a degree.
Gunnar is preceded in death by grandparents Gary Jay Hanson, Allan (Al) Loobey, and Judith (Judy) Loobey. He is survived by his parents, Todd and Cheryl Hanson, Elizabeth Hanson (all of Missoula, MT), grandmother Beverly Fay Hanson (Thompson Falls, MT), many uncles, aunts, cousins, and dear friends.
The family wishes to convey with deep appreciation the many expressions of love, concern, support, and kindness during this time of loss.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions to be made to a charity of their choice in memory of Gunnar.
Steed-Todd Funeral Home & Crematory was entrusted with Gunnar’s funeral arrangements. You may view and pay your condolences at www.steedtodd.com.