A student of the University of North Dakota identified as Blake Hanson has been mourned after he died in a gruesome car crash.
Hanson became the latest victim of a fiery automobile accident which is all too common on the roads and highways of the United States on a daily basis.
The 21-year-old lost his life in a fiery two-vehicle rollover crash in Grantsburg near State Road 70 and Johnson Road.
In light of his passing, his friends, family, university and all who knew him have mourned Hanson, remembering the positives of his life that despite being all too short, shined as bright as a star.
Who was Blake Hanson?
Blake was born on September 14th, 2002 in Corpus Cristi, TX, to Spencer Hanson and Sophia Kleinheksel.
He grew up in Tolna, North Dakota where he attended the Dakota Prairie Schools.
Outgoing, confident, and affable, Blake Hanson engaged in a lot of activities growing up.
He was the typical friendly guy, the everyman who got along with everyone.
His family described him as a ray of sunshine capable of brightening anyone’s day.
“If sunshine were a person, it would be Blake!”, his family said in his obituary.
Blake was also apparently, a very willing hugger.
During his high school years, he got involved in numerous groups and societies including youth and study groups.
A devout Christian due to his upbringing, Blake took his beliefs to college when he joined the Chi Alpha fraternity bible study group.
Always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone and guide people through their issues, Blake had decided that he wanted to become an elementary school teacher.
Alas, it was not to be as his dreams were derailed after a stunning automobile accident that took his life.
University of North Dakota
To further his dreams of being a teacher, Blake enrolled at the University of North Dakota where he studied Elementary Education in the College of Education & Human Development.
He carried his infectious personality and industriousness to campus and applied it to his studies and all he did.
Naturally, the school was devastated after news emerged of his death.
In a statement, school authorities expressed condolences to Blake’s friends, family, and classmates and offered resources to affected students.
Legacy
In the days following his passing, the family and friends of Blake came together to give him a farewell befitting his time on earth.
He was remembered for being loving, caring, friendly and a shoulder that could be relied on.
Tributes were read in his honor outlining the specific help he had given to multiple people throughout his lifetime.
Life can be fleeting and cruel at times but in such moments, communities forge together and show their collective humanity in celebrating someone they all knew and love.
In some ways, tragedy brings out the best in humanity and Blake’s farewell was just that, ensuring he died just as he lived, bringing people together.
May Blake Hanson rest in perfect peace.