Thomas James Hanson, 75, of Eau Claire, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 13, 2011, after a long struggle with cancer. He was born in Eau Claire on October 5, 1936 to Harold and Gwen (Dragseth) Hanson. Tom married Mary Jo Krogstad on August 17, 1958, at Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. He graduated from Wisconsin State College Eau Claire with a bachelor in Science Education in 1961. In 1969 he received a Master of Science in Educational Administration from the University of Wisconsin. He completed his Executive Master of Business Administration in 1976 at the University of Denver. In 1985 he graduated from the University of Colorado with a Doctor of Education. Tom and Mary Jo raised their four children in Denver, Colorado. For the majority of his professional career, Tom worked as an Executive Director for the Denver Public School System. Concurrently, he taught as an adjunct professor at Regis University and The University of Colorado School of Business. When Tom retired in 1992 he and Mary Jo left Denver to live aboard their sailboat in the Caribbean. They subsequently returned to Eau Claire where Tom worked as a family mediator with TRY Mediation, a vocation he truly enjoyed. Tom is survived by his wife, Mary Jo; three daughters, Elizabeth Wellings (David Smith), Laura Scola (Rick Brown), and Sarah Hanson; five grandchildren, Tim (Tessa) Wellings, Nordica Wellings, Spencer Wellings, Zach Scola, and Celeste Scola; one great-grandchild, Trevor Wellings; three brothers, David (Sharon) Hanson, John (Gail) Hanson, and Stephen (Alice) Hanson; and his special aunt, Helen Leipnitz. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Daniel Hanson. At Tom's request, his body will be donated to the Anatomy Bequest Program at the University of Minnesota. Friends may call from 5 to 7p.m. on Sunday, December 18, 2011, at Lenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Ave., Eau Claire. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at church. Memorial Service will be held at 11a.m. on Monday, December 19, 2011, at First Lutheran Church, 1005 Oxford Avenue, Eau Claire, with Pastor Scott Miller officiating.

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