Steven (Chip) Hanson
Steven Lee (Chip) Hanson (66) was born on February 17, 1959 in Aberdeen, SD to David A. & Elaine B. Hanson. Steve passed away on Monday, January 12, 2026 at the Good Samaritan Society Sioux Falls Village Assisted Living.
Steve was the 2nd oldest of five siblings [Paul, Steve, Debra, Mark, & John]. The Hanson family moved to Redfield, SD early summer of 1972 … at the time the kids weren’t very thrilled leaving the ‘Big’ City of Aberdeen to the small Town of Redfield. In time it was evident that it was the best thing that happened! We all know that ‘Life’ takes changes; however, can you imagine if he (we) had never moved to Redfield? The bonds of friendship made for a lifetime … not to mention all the ‘crazy’ stuff done and experienced!
Steve lived his life perhaps a little less conventional than most; however, Family & Friends always meant the world to him!! We would say that his two most proudest things in life was his only son Seth and also serving his Country in the Air Force!
Steve joined the US Air Force July 10, 1980 as an A1C with his primary specialty being Fire Protection. He decided not to re-up when his four years was coming up and he was Honorably Discharged on July 7, 1984.
His renewed calling for the Air Force came again in 1990 when he decided to serve his Country again … he re-upped in the USAF joining the Air National Guard of US (ANGUS) with the 114th Tactical Air Control (TAC) Clinic as a SSGT with his primary specialty as an AeroMedical Tech. Specifically, Steve volunteered to serve in the Persian Gulf War – Operation Desert Storm. This tour was from 12/03/1990 – 06/19/1991. In addition to some of the usual commendations, Steve also received the following medals / ribbons: Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, AF Overseas Long & Short Tour Ribbons, AF Outstanding Unit Award w/1 device Bronze Star Southwest Asia Service Medal (for Service in Op Desert Storm), and additionally the National Defense Service Medal.
Aside from Steve’s military service he also worked various jobs including Administrator of the former Redfield Clinic, Spink County’s FEMA/Disaster Director, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) at the Aberdeen Beef Plant and for the Spink County Ambulance.
In November 2021 Steve was admitted into the Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital in Sioux Falls with health complications determined to have resulted from his service in Operation Desert Storm with his diagnosis being Gulf War Syndrome. The prognosis wasn’t good with some of the complications he initially sustained and as such, Steve ultimately was transferred to the Lennox Assisted Living facility on 02/17/2022 and then eventually to the Good Samaritan Society Sioux Falls Village Assisted Living on 06/07/2022. Steve was put into Hospice Care on 08/06/2025 and ‘chose’ to hang on for five (5) months.
Steve is survived by his wife Erica Rodriguez Hanson (married 07/17/2020), his son Seth Van Severen, and his siblings Paul T. Hanson, Debra A. Tvinnereim, and John T. (Jackie) Hanson.
Steve is also survived by his various Nephews & Nieces as follows:
Paul’s children: Michael (Jennifer) Hanson; Susan (Sam) Casper; and Sarah Hanson;
Debra’s child: Megan (Nick) Meyers; and,
John’s children: Mitchell (Natalie) Hanson and Matthew Hanson.
Steve is also survived by his Uncle & Aunt Neil & Mary Hanson and cousins Kim (Hanson) Boyne and Jeff Hanson. Aunt Bobbette (Rhoades) Rutsch and Cousin Tom Rutsch and Uncle Mike (Marc Ellis) Rhoades.
Steve is preceded in death by his parents David A. & Elaine B. (Rhoades) Hanson; his brother Mark; Grandparents Orville & Laura Hanson and Grandparents Mitchell & Marie (Foster) Rhoades; Uncle Alvin Rutsch; and Cousin Timothy Rustch.