Barbara Jeanne Hanson

Barbara Jeanne Hanson, 84, of St. Anthony Village, MN, died Wednesday, March 5, at The Legacy of St. Anthony, an assisted living center. She was born on April 25, 1929 to Arthur and Nellie (Northway) Erickson near Hibbing, MN. Barbara was a 1947 graduate of Hibbing High School and a 1951 graduate of the St. Cloud State Teacher's College. On June 15, 1956, she was united in marriage to Theodore J. (Ted) Hanson, Jr. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ted; brother, Bob (Evelyn) Erickson; sisters, Shirley (Andy) Perpich and Harriet (Lester) Arbetman; and her beloved dog, Barney. She is survived by her daughter, Traci (Glenn) Bergum of St. Anthony Village; grandchildren, Toby and Annika Bergum; "grand-dogs" Izzy and Lola, and extended family. (Although Traci was their only child, Barb and Ted both regarded Patty (Krog) Intihar and Lois Kauppila as their unofficial daughters.) The Hanson extended family includes Ginger and John Hopkins of Sun City West, AZ (sons Mike & Jeff and families); Skip and Cindy Dodge of Mt. Iron, MN (children Bill, Wendy, Justy and families); Pam and Jim Michals of Eden Prairie, MN (children Rick & Mandy); Becky and John Bachman of Virginia, MN (children Bryce & Lindsey and families); Candy and John Nelson of Mt. Iron, MN (children Brooke, Corey, Casey and families); Joe Sartori of Las Vegas, NV; Lori and Paul Hill of Hibbing, MN (children Katie & Alan and families); Ted and Gina Sartori of Spring Park, MN; Stu and Rebecca Hanson of Lake Saint Louis, MO (Theodore); Kyle and Sharee Hanson of Hastings, MN (children Lukas, Chloe, Henry); Troy and Tiffany Hanson of Hastings, MN (children Olivia, William). The Erickson extended family includes Andrea and Vern Ekness of Hillsboro, TX (children Brittany, Katie, Emily, Thomas); Scott Erickson of Texas (daughter Kelle), Jim and Shari Erickson of Hibbing, MN (sons Kyle, Garrett, Reed). In addition, she is survived by several cousins including Elaine Murray of Forest Lake, MN and Gary & Helen Lamb of Wyoming, MN. Following her graduation from the St. Cloud State Teacher's College in 1951, Barb student-taught in Kemmerer, Wyoming. She then returned to the Iron Range, taking a position teaching 7th and 8th grade English in the Mt. Iron school district. It was there that she met the love of her life, Theodore John Hanson, Jr. They made their home in Midway (Virginia, MN) until 1979 when they began spending the winters in Green Valley, AZ. The summers were spent at their cabin in Makinen, MN where she had the distinction of naming the lake (Leisure Lake). Barb enjoyed the Southwest and all its history. She loved Cowboy lore and everything "western". Barb and Ted followed the rodeo circuit and travelled from Deadwood to Cody to Calgary for thrills. She was known to spend time in AZ casinos with a bingo dauber in hand. Her other hobbies included reading (Louis L’Amour-type fiction), bridge, cards (Smear and cribbage), investment club, and watching Arizona Wildcats sports. When Ted passed away in 1987, she became a full-time "snowbird" spending all her time in Arizona, except for occasional visits with her daughter and family in New England, Ohio and Minneapolis. Barb had lived with congestive heart failure for the past 20 years which restricted her travel. While in Arizona, she became friends with Glenn's aunt and uncle, Terri and Jack Matala, who had also relocated to Green Valley. Terri and Jack frequently stopped in to visit or take her to lunch and to give her a helping hand around the house. When her health and distance became an issue, Traci moved her to St. Anthony to be nearer the family--less than one mile away. Barb benefitted from the move and loved spending time with her grandchildren, Toby and Annika. She was eventually referred to HealthPartners Hospice as her heart weakened. In addition to her heart problem, she was diagnosed with mild Alzheimer's disease. Her state of health required one more move----to The Legacy of St. Anthony, a brand new assisted living facility next to her apartment. Barb was fortunate to have wonderful hospice caregivers and staff who made her life as comfortable as possible. Proximity to family also made it possible for Traci, Toby and Annika to care for her as her health continued to decline. Barb loved animals and grew up with cats, dogs and even a horse. She loved going to her grandparent’s farm in Hinckley to visit and see all manner of farm animals. Without question her true companion was her dog Barney who was cremated when he died and who will be with her for eternity. As with Barney, she spoiled all the family pets including the Bergum "fur kids" Byron, Fergus, Izzy and Lola. Barb supported the Animal Humane Society Walk for Animals. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Animal Humane Society, 845 Meadow Lane North, Golden Valley, MN 55422. (763) 489-2210. www.animalhumanesociety.org Memorial service 10:30 AM Saturday, April 5, 2014 with visitation one hour prior at Nativity Lutheran Church, 3312 Silver Lake Road, St. Anthony. Private interment Greenwood Cemetery, Virginia, MN at a later date. www.Washburn-McReavy.com Northeast Chapel (612) 781-6828

Tributes

Barbara Jeanne Hanson

March 5, 2014

Tributes

Barbara Jeanne Hanson

March 5, 2014

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