Lyall Franklin Hanson

Jul 20, 1929 - Apr 23, 2018
Lyall Hanson was born July 20th, 1929 in Domremy, Saskatchewan and passed away on April 23rd, 2018 at Heron Grove in Vernon, B.C.  He had lived in the Okanagan since 1936 after moving from Saskatchewan with his family.  He was educated in Lumby and Vernon and was a businessman for many years before entering politics. 

Lyall served as Alderman for the City of Vernon in 1972 and 1973, President of the Vernon Chamber of Commerce, City Administrator in 1980 and 1981 and was elected Mayor of Vernon in November 1981.  He was a Director of the North Okanagan Regional District and Vice-President of the Union of B. C. Municipalities.  He served as Mayor until late 1986 when he was first elected M.L.A. to represent the provincial constituency of Okanagan-Vernon and was re-elected in October 1991.  From 1986 to 1991, he served on the Executive Council as Minister of Labour and Consumer Services, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture, and finally, Minister of Transportation and Highways. 

He was actively involved in the community as a Kinsman, a Rotarian and a member of the Masonic Lodge, and the Gizeh Shrine for 32 years.

Since retiring, he has served as Chairman of the People Place, President of the Board of Directors of the Vernon Branch of the SPCA and a member of the Board of the Vernon Women's Transition House and O'Keefe Ranch. 

Lyall is survived by his wife Nancy, his children; Nancy (Wayne Ostafew), John (Alma Jean Inkster) Jeanne (Dave Arcand), and Cathy (Kate) Altwasser.  Also mourning his loss are his grandchildren; Nicole Purvis (Adam), Dan Ostafew (Shila), Ashley Bevan (Geoff), Danielle Hudgins, Jamie Seabrook, Dayton Altwasser and Luke and Carter Hanson, his great-grandchildren; Olivia and Jacob Purvis, Jillian and Karlyn Bevan and Sophia Ostafew.  He will also be missed by his stepsons Michael Campbell of North Vancouver and Warren Campbell (Beth) of Vernon and their children Matthew & Lauran and Nathan and Ryan. 

He was predeceased by his son Gordon John Hanson in 1955, his sister Ivy (Wally Crane) and his brother Herb Hanson (Hazel).

Special thanks to the staff at Heron Grove for the care you have given to Lyall over the past three years.

A Celebration of Lyall's Life will be held on Wednesday, May 23rd, 2018 at 2 pm at the Schubert Centre, 3505 30th Avenue, Vernon, B.C.

Memorial donations may be made in Lyall's name to the People Place, 3402 27th Avenue or to the Parkinson's Society of B. C., 600-890 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 1J9.

Arrangements have been made with BETHEL FUNERAL CHAPEL LTD., 5605 27th Street, Vernon, B.C. V1T 8Z5, (250) 542-1187.

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