Rolfe Hanson was often asked if he had lived his entire life in Stoughton, to which his favorite response was, “Not yet.” This anecdote reflects his wit and humor, but these traits alone do not tell the full story of his life.

Rolfe was a businessman, civic leader, veteran, journalist, and historian. Above all, he was a devoted lover of Stoughton, always keeping the community's best interests in mind. Born in Stoughton on February 2, 1897, he was the son of a mayor who served from 1890 to 1892, and perhaps this civic interest influenced him deeply.

On March 20, 1920, he married Dorothy Sabotta, and their marriage lasted for 57 years until her death in 1977. He worked as a reporter for the Stoughton Courier Hub for several years before founding Hanson’s Print Shop, a business that became a fixture in the community for three decades.

Rolfe was a proud veteran of World War I, dedicated to the values for which he fought. He served as the sixth Commander of Post 59 in 1924 and was a charter member of the Stoughton VFW Post 328, as well as a member of the Stoughton Barracks, an organization exclusively for World War I veterans. The attached photo shows the charter for Stoughton chapter #2796, which will soon be displayed at Post 59.

In addition to his involvement with the Stoughton veteran community, Rolfe was active in many other organizations. He served as president of the Stoughton Rotary Club and was a member of the Stoughton Historical Society, the Sons of Norway, and the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce, where he also held the presidency. In 1952, when Syttende Mai was revived, he was part of the committee that planned the festival.

After retiring from the print shop, he returned to the Courier Hub as an editor and columnist. His column, “Our Town,” was aptly named. A gifted writer, he did more than just report day-to-day events; he captured the essence of the community and its people in his writing.

Rolfe's dedication to the community never waned. Shortly before his death, he completed “A History of Stoughton Government, 1868-1983,” a chronicle detailing how city officials faced the challenges of their times.

Rolfe passed away on November 8, 1985, at the age of 88, having lived a full and happy life. An editorial in the Stoughton Courier Hub published a week after his death stated, “Stoughton lost one of its best friends and biggest supporters last week.”