Derrill Richard Hanson, 76, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, formerly of Madison, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2026, at the Dougherty Hospice House. Memorial services will be held at Madison United Methodist Church on Friday, September 4, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery. Lunch will be provided at the church following the service and burial.

He was born on April 15, 1950, to Wally and Arlis Hanson. Derrill grew up in Madison and graduated from Madison High School in 1968. He went on to attend the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Dental School, graduating in 1973. Dentistry became not only his profession, but a lifelong way of serving others. Derrill proudly practiced as an independent dentist in Madison for 42 years, building lasting relationships with generations of patients and becoming a trusted and respected member of the community.

On July 2, 1977, Derrill married the love of his life, Lonna Stewart. Together, they built a beautiful life centered around family, friendship, faith, and service. They were blessed with two children, Jared and Janna, and Derrill took immense pride in his family. His grandchildren—Jayci and Paxton Olson, and Miles and Isabelle Hanson—brought him tremendous joy, and he loved nothing more than watching them participate in their many activities and cheering them on from the sidelines.

Derrill was a man who made others feel important, valued, and cared for. Those who knew him often described him as one of the kindest men they had ever met. He consistently put others before himself, offering a helping hand, a listening ear, and genuine kindness without expecting anything in return. His quiet generosity, humility, and warm spirit left a lasting impression on countless people throughout his life.

Faith and community were important parts of Derrill’s life. He was a member of Madison United Methodist Church, where he also played drums in the praise band and served on many church boards throughout the years. His commitment to serving others extended well beyond the church. Derrill was a member of both the Rotary Club and Jaycees, serving as president of the Rotary Club and as chairman of the United Way Board. He was also a longtime member of the Madison Country Club. Service was never simply something Derrill talked about, it was something he lived. He gave generously of his time, leadership, and talents to help strengthen the community he loved.

Derrill also loved being involved in the lives of his children. He coached Jared and Janna’s baseball and softball teams, creating memories that went far beyond the games themselves. He was an enthusiastic supporter of his grandchildren as well, rarely missing an opportunity to watch them compete and cheer them on.

Sports were a lifelong passion for Derrill. He was a very good basketball player and golfer and loved following basketball, baseball, softball, and fantasy football. His high school athletic career also provided one of the stories his family never tired of telling: Derrill was the tallest man on the high school track team, but despite that considerable height, he could not seem to clear a hurdle. His competitive spirit and good sense of humor made stories like this part of the fun of knowing him.

Derrill enjoyed competition in many forms. He played competitive duplicate bridge and took great pleasure in the strategy, challenge, and camaraderie of the game. Whether he was on the golf course, watching a basketball game, playing bridge, cheering from the stands, or simply sitting around with family and friends, Derrill was happiest when he was surrounded by people he loved.

Derrill will be deeply missed by his wife of 49 years, Lonna Hanson; his children, Jared (Margaret) Hanson of Lafayette, California, and Janna (Nathan) Olson of Harrisburg, South Dakota; his beloved grandchildren, Jayci and Paxton Olson and Miles and Isabelle Hanson; his sister Melanie (Wally) Doppenberg of Boerne, Texas; and sister Kay (Bryan) Eder of Rochester, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wally and Arlis Hanson; his brother, Craig Hanson; and an infant sister.

Derrill leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond his 42 years as a dentist or his many accomplishments. He will be remembered most for the way he lived—with kindness, humility, generosity, faith, and an unwavering devotion to the people he loved. His family, friends, patients, church, and community were all better for having known him.

He had a gift for making people feel seen and valued. He gave generously of his time, his talents, his sense of humor, and his heart. His love for his family was evident in the countless games he attended, teams he coached, activities he supported, and moments he shared with those closest to him.

Though he is deeply missed, Derrill’s love and example will live on in his family and in the many lives he touched throughout his remarkable life.