Gerald William Hanson, 81, of North Platte, NE died Thursday, June 28, 2012, at his home in North Platte surrounded by his family.

Gerald was born July 8, 1930, to Reynold Waldimar and Clara Marie Diener Hanson at North Platte where he grew up. He graduated from North Platte High School then began his employment with the Union Pacific Railroad. He started in the Round House, then worked in the Freight House before becoming a Clerk. He retired from the railroad in 1978 with a medical retirement. Gerald had an acreage where he milked cows and raised chickens. He loved his family and his animals.

He married Twilla Cusick in 1949. Gerald later married Ethel Faye Timmons Garner on August 14, 1966, at Oberlin, KS and they made their home in North Platte.

Gerald is survived by his nine children, Glendin K. Patrick, Janie M. (Dale) Newtson, Lavella G. (Leonard) Pfeister, Leona J. ‘Lee’ Webster, Don R. Garner, John P. Hanson and Mary L. (Kevin) Stewart, all of North Platte, Orpha J. (Terry) Walker, of Cozad, NE and John D. (Lora) Garner, of Gothenburg, NE; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; his sister, Mary Ann Bunger, of Yuma, AZ; and other family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel; his parents, Reynold and Marie; his brother, Vernon Hanson; a son-in-law, Brad Patrick; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, July 2, 2012, at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore with Pastor Wayne Godfrey of the Restoration Branch Church of Jesus Christ LDS officiating. Burial will follow in Good Hope Cemetery northwest of North Platte. Visitation will be 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday and 8:30 a.m. to service time on Monday at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. The online guest book may be signed at odeanchapel.com and memorials are suggested to the family. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.