Detroit Lakes, Minn. - Gunder Hanson planned to drive his restored 152 Minneapolis U-Moline in this year's Becker County Tractor Parade.
But Hanson died in May, leaving the restoration and parade plans in the hands of his son, Tim Hanson.
"It was a tractor we used on the farm when I was younger. It was our main tractor on the farm," Hanson said.
Hanson, along with Vergas Ford Equipment and Jody's Auto Body in Vergas, finished the restoration, and now Hanson plans to see his father's dream come to reality when he drives the propane-powered tractor in the annual Becker County Tractor Parade on Saturday.
The U-Moline will be the featured tractor in the parade.
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The tractor has remained operational throughout the years, but Gunder Hanson had planned to repaint and restore it to pristine condition.
Tim Hanson said he plans to make the tractor parade a family affair, driving the tractor with his wife and children, similar to how his father spent his life, close to the ones he loved.
Gunder Hanson was a Navy soldier who served in World War II. He later became an agricultural teacher in Detroit Lakes.
Hanson said his father purchased the tractor in 1967, the same year he purchased their Hickory Township farm from his mother. Gunder and his brother operated the farm until 1972, when Gunder took over as sole proprietor, farming mostly small grains, wheat, barley and sunflowers.
Parade organizer Ken Shroyer said the parade will begin at 10:30 a.m., leaving from Adkins Equipment. The route will follow Richwood Road to Roosevelt Avenue and turn west on Willow Street to Rossman Avenue, finishing at the fairgrounds. The tractors will return on the same route.
Tractors can be brought to Adkins on Friday and stored in the equipment yard. There is an unloading dock available.
Tractors must be able to travel at a minimum speed of 6 mph and meet the Minnesota public road travel regulations. Information sheets will be posted on the tractor at the fairgrounds.
If you go
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- What: Third annual Becker County Fair Tractor Parade
- When: 10:30 a.m. Saturday
- Where: Detroit Lakes
- Info: The parade route will leave from Adkins Equipment, go north on Richwood Road to Roosevelt Avenue, then west on Willow Street to Rossman Avenue to the Becker County Fairgrounds. There will be a pancake breakfast at 9 a.m. at Adkins Equipment. Registration is $5.
- For more information: Call Roger Engstrom at (218) 847-8841 or Ken Shroyer at (218) 847-2674.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Wendy Reuer at (701) 241-5530
