DonnaLou Hanson

Services for DonnaLou Hanson will be 2:00 pm, Friday, September 10, 2010 at Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church in Hanley Falls Minnesota. Visitation will be at the church prior to the service beginning at 12:00 noon.

Donny died on September 7, 2010 in Northwood, North Dakota after a long battle with cancer.

DonnaLou Evangeline (Nelson) Hanson was born July 12th, 1928 in Wood Lake Township to Carl and Esther (Weeks) Nelson. She was baptized, confirmed and married in the Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church in Hanley Falls. She attended grade school and high school in the Wood Lake School District, graduating in 1946. After high school graduation she attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa where she received her teaching certificate. She then taught 2nd grade in Sleepy Eye until her marriage to James Alan Hanson on August 21st, 1949.

They lived and taught in Goodhue for one year. They then moved to Wood lake for the next two years where Jim was the Principal and coach and Donny taught in the elementary level. Following that they lived and taught in Maynard, and Fairmont for several years before returning to Wood Lake where they lived together until Jim died in December of 1990.

Donny was an active volunteer in many organizations; AARP, Widowed Persons services, RSVP, Mid Minnesota Legal Volunteers, Senior Federation, Time Steppers, Bell Choir, Fitness and Dancersise. She was a member of Sons of Norway, Study Club and Circle. After Jim's death she could be found speaking and giving seminars all over the United States for AARP and for Widowed persons organizations. She loved to perform and entertain with her Time Steppers and other groups. She enjoyed family time and summer vacations. Over the years she received much pleasure from teaching her piano and organ pupils, her "Tiny Tot Tumblers" and playing cards with her Cottonwood Golf Club ladies the "three toed petes." Donny was well known as a volunteer for the Granite Falls School district as "Grandma Nonny" and she greatly enjoyed her time volunteering there. Her interests were varied and she enjoyed reading, music, dancing, walking, plays and most of all people. As her children can attest to she would talk to anyone and everyone and enjoyed all people she met.

Survivors include her Daughter Carla (and Jim) Sletten of Northwood, North Dakota, Son Jim (and Jeanne) Hanson of Erhard, Minnesota, Daughter Jenifer (and Mike) Klein of Marshall, Minnesota, and special friend Harris Hedin of Willmar, Minnesota. Also surviving are her Grandchildren; Jason Sletten, Shannon (and DeeJay) Johnson, Katie (and Corey) Huus, Heather Sletten, Molly (and Brendan) Bubach, Nicole (and Eric) Nelson, Ashley (and Trevor) Raskie, Shelby Klein and Luke Klein. She is also survived by 6 Great Grandchildren; Jaylie and Tucker Woods, McKenzie and Andrew Huus, Austin Nelson, and Hunter Raskie. Also surviving are her sister Bethe (and Larry) Neilsen and family, brother Wes Nelson, Aunt Grace Larson, Aunt Bernice Nelson, cousins Mary Taylor and Eunice Sandell, and many other relatives. Donny was preceded in death by her parents, her mother and father-in-law, her husband Jim, her neice Debbie Neilsen, God Child Carol (Penningroth) Bundul, special cousin Elaine (Nelson) Penningroth and her beloved aunts Alice Nelson, Mabel Weeks, Lillian Trandahl and many other special relatives who have gone before her.

The Family would like to thank Chaplain Dean Lyste for all his time and wonderful ministering to our mom while she lived in Northwood. She especially enjoyed sharing her love of the Vikings and Twins with Chaplain Lyste! Special thank you 's also go to Callie Berg for her wonderful kindness and beautiful Harp music which filled our mom's life and hospital room and gave her much peace. Thank you's are also extended to Northwood Deaconess Assisted Living and Hospital Staff. Thank you to the Red River Valley hospice staff for their kind and caring help to mom. Our expressions of thanks will never feel like enough for all you have done for her.

Memorials are preferred to Green Lake Bible Camp or the Northwood Deaconess Health Center.

The Bilden Funeral Home of Northwood, North Dakota is assisting the family with arrangements.