1935
Norma
2016
Norma Hanson
December 22, 1935 — February 11, 2016
Norma Ann (VanWilgen) Hanson went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 11th, 2016. She died of pancreatic cancer.
She was born in Hollandale, MN on December 22, 1935 to John (Johnny) & Hazel VanWilgen. She was the oldest and had two younger brothers; John (Sonny) & Gene. 'Fun' was how she described her childhood that included raising chickens and bottle feeding orphaned newborn lambs. She graduated from Albert Lea High School and still kept in touch with classmates.
Local boy, Raymond Hanson, of rural Albert Lea won her heart and after he served in Korea they were wed on August 31, 1955. They settled in Maple Island, MN for a few years and then moved to Clarks Grove where they have since resided. They were blessed with three children; Diane, Dean & Dale.
Wife, mother and homemaker were her official titles but she was also an excellent seamstress. She designed many of her own patterns and did custom sewing for ladies, sewed clothes for Ray and the kids, and made baby gifts. She enjoyed organizing her home, vending at craft shows and crocheting hats, which she gave away to crisis centers and Operation Christmas Child.
Norma's most special gifts were her ability to listen and that of being an encourager to those she knew and even strangers. She was always a contemporary soul, being young at heart. She learned how to run a computer around the age of 60 and spent every day on it. 'Facebook' and 'Words With Friends' was her way of staying in touch with everyone and even those as far away as Holland since she was of Dutch heritage.
The Clarks Grove Museum was her latest and last large project as she helped organize, scan pictures, and print signage on her computer. She enjoyed this very much since she had previously put together all of the family's genealogies and even genealogies of some of her children's spouses.
Norma was a delightful person, loved by all and will be missed greatly.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Ray. Children: Diane & her husband Lowell Kuck in IA; son Dean & his special girlfriend Kimberly Franz in NC; and son Dale & his wife Denise in MN. Grandchildren: David (Jessica) Kuck in MN ; Michael (Lorelei) Kuck in MN ; Nicholle (AJ Wilson) in TX; Kyle Hanson in CA; Brianna (Justin LeClere) in FL ; Tyler Hanson in FL. Great-Grandchildren: Benjamin & Jonathan (David) Kuck; Elliot (Michael) Kuck. Brother: John (Sonny) VanWilgen in Hollandale, MN.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Gene.
There will be no funeral or memorial service as per Norma's wishes.
She was born in Hollandale, MN on December 22, 1935 to John (Johnny) & Hazel VanWilgen. She was the oldest and had two younger brothers; John (Sonny) & Gene. 'Fun' was how she described her childhood that included raising chickens and bottle feeding orphaned newborn lambs. She graduated from Albert Lea High School and still kept in touch with classmates.
Local boy, Raymond Hanson, of rural Albert Lea won her heart and after he served in Korea they were wed on August 31, 1955. They settled in Maple Island, MN for a few years and then moved to Clarks Grove where they have since resided. They were blessed with three children; Diane, Dean & Dale.
Wife, mother and homemaker were her official titles but she was also an excellent seamstress. She designed many of her own patterns and did custom sewing for ladies, sewed clothes for Ray and the kids, and made baby gifts. She enjoyed organizing her home, vending at craft shows and crocheting hats, which she gave away to crisis centers and Operation Christmas Child.
Norma's most special gifts were her ability to listen and that of being an encourager to those she knew and even strangers. She was always a contemporary soul, being young at heart. She learned how to run a computer around the age of 60 and spent every day on it. 'Facebook' and 'Words With Friends' was her way of staying in touch with everyone and even those as far away as Holland since she was of Dutch heritage.
The Clarks Grove Museum was her latest and last large project as she helped organize, scan pictures, and print signage on her computer. She enjoyed this very much since she had previously put together all of the family's genealogies and even genealogies of some of her children's spouses.
Norma was a delightful person, loved by all and will be missed greatly.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Ray. Children: Diane & her husband Lowell Kuck in IA; son Dean & his special girlfriend Kimberly Franz in NC; and son Dale & his wife Denise in MN. Grandchildren: David (Jessica) Kuck in MN ; Michael (Lorelei) Kuck in MN ; Nicholle (AJ Wilson) in TX; Kyle Hanson in CA; Brianna (Justin LeClere) in FL ; Tyler Hanson in FL. Great-Grandchildren: Benjamin & Jonathan (David) Kuck; Elliot (Michael) Kuck. Brother: John (Sonny) VanWilgen in Hollandale, MN.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Gene.
There will be no funeral or memorial service as per Norma's wishes.
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