Marvin D. Hanson

Marvin D. Hanson

June 23, 1953 - Friday, December 27, 2013

Marvin Hanson, “Gah Gii Gih Dode Ishkode” (Talking Fire), journeyed into the spirit world on December 27, 2013.

Marv was born to John “Swede” and Isabelle (Morrison) Hanson on June 23, 1953 in Red Lake, Minnesota.

Marv attended and graduated from St. Mary’s Mission School, St. John’s Preparatory School and St. John’s University. Marv also attended graduate school at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Marvin served in the United States Army, Army Reserve and Minnesota National Guard.

He enjoyed playing softball, basketball, golfing and hunting.

Marv was the owner of “The Marvelous Fish House,” starting the first Native American Restaurant in Bemidji, Minnesota focusing on providing local cuisine and employment for Native Americans.

Marv had numerous accomplishments in life enjoying employment stints as a Manpower Planner for The City of St. Paul, Executive Director of American Indian OIC in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Corporate Vice President for Grand Casino’s Inc and CEO of Red Lake Gaming Enterprises, leading the casino expansion and Waterpark development at Seven Clans, Thief River Falls and Seven Clans Warroad. Marv’s last stint for his tribe was working as Executive Director for New Beginnings where he developed employment for tribal members with Polaris and Walmart.

Marv was a foster parent for many years in the cities caring for numerous Indian Children when there was a high need for Indian foster homes.

Marv played a crucial role in the passage of the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act and also served as an expert witness involving the Federal Indian Child Welfare Act.

Marv is survived by seven children: Renee Walsh (Pat), South St. Paul, Minnesota, Lisa Hanson, Mounds View, Minnesota, Apryl Lussier (Roland), Red Lake, Minnesota, SunDown Lattergrass, Duluth, Minnesota, Douglas Iron Necklace (Jill), Bemidji, Minnesota, Marvin Hanson, Jr., Bemidji, Minnesota, Megan Hanson, Bemidji, Minnesota and special friend Sherrie Clapp of Puposky, Minnesota; grandchildren: Devin and Tristan Koster, Alex and Lauren Walsh, Caleb and Carter Iron Necklace, and Madyson and Ryland Lussier.

Marv was a huge proponent of education, pushing his children to pursue education achievement. He was especially proud of his daughter, Megan Hanson, who received the opportunity to attend school in Melk, Austria as a student of St. John’s Preparatory School from which he was also a graduate. Megan is the first Native American to participate in the oldest foreign exchange student program in the United States.

Waiting for Marv in the Spirit World are his parents: John “Swede” and Isabelle Hanson, brothers: Hubert Roy, Fabian Strong and Edward Hanson.

Funeral Services will be held at the Minneapolis American Indian Center, 1530 E. Franklin Avenue, in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday, January 4th at 10:30 a.m.

Interment will follow at a future date at the St. John's Abbey Cemetery on the shores of Sagatagan Lake

An all night wake will be held on Friday, January 3rd, 2014 beginning at 5:00 P.M. at The American Indian Center in Minneapolis.

Honorary Casket Bearers will be Tom Haeg, John Korich, Roger Strong, Junior Strong, John Norton, Tom Keaveny, Bob Thunder, Herb Thunder and Bob Neadeau.

Casket Bearers will be Greg Good, John Boyd, Ed Boyd, Marvin Hanson Jr., Douglas Iron Necklace and Rob Beaulieu.

The Chilson Funeral Home in Winsted, Minnesota is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to http://www.chilsonfuneralhome.com