Verna Hanson

Monday, June 3, 2024 2:43 pm

Verna Hanson, age 85, of Decorah, passed away Sunday, June 2, 2024, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 10, at Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago Street, Decorah, with Rev. Peter Kowitz presiding. Burial will be in the Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Monday morning. Helms Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements.

Verna (Anderson) Hanson was born Aug. 31, 1938, the daughter of Andrew and Clara (Skaim) Anderson, in Decorah. She was the twelfth of 13 children. Verna was baptized and confirmed at Decorah Lutheran Church. She was united in marriage to Willard Hanson on Oct. 19, 1957, at Decorah Lutheran Church. The couple met at the Sweet Shop in Decorah, where Verna was a waitress. She also worked for a bakery in Decorah, delivering baked goods to local schools and alongside her husband as a tour guide for Hawkeye Stages for nearly 30 years.

Verna was very active in the church. She worked many years as a hostess for the church Nordic Fest Luncheon and also oversaw the Alter Guild. She loved to dance, visit with people, cooking, and baking (many cherished her famous rice crispy bars and goulash). Verna enjoyed travelling, whether it was for work, going south for the winters, or car rides around the area with Willard. She cherished the moments spent with her family and will be dearly missed by all who survive her.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Willard Hanson, of Decorah, IA. Sister: Louise Vander Sanden. Sisters-in-law: Gloria Bartlett and Donna Anderson. Brother-in-law: Roger Nolden.

She was preceded in death by her parents Andrew and Clara. Siblings: Arnold (Lucille) Anderson, Pearl (Ervin) Davidson, Clarence (Emma & Mabel) Anderson, Florence (George) Wilmot, Arlene (Arnold) Hogenson, Leonard (Geralda) Anderson, Rueben Anderson, Orval Anderson, Lorraine Nolden, Ellen (George Bidne & Arlen) Brown, Gladys (Lawrence) Hageman. Sister and brothers-in-law: Dave Vander Sanden, Kenneth (Helen) Hanson, Arlin (Virginia) Hanson, Merlin (Evelyn) Hanson, and Rosalyn (Arthur) Quam. Parents-in-law: Benny and Velma Hanson.