MARGARET L. HANSON

Margaret L. (Ganje) Hanson Margaret L. Hanson, 90 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Sunday evening, April 15, 2012 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake with loving family at her side. Margaret Hanson was born on October 1, 1921 to Julieanna (Ziegler) and Frank Ganje at New Rockford, ND. She moved with her family to Devils Lake, ND at the age of 4. She was educated in Devils Lake, graduating from Central High School in 1940. She married Olger E. Hanson on October 5, 1940 at Devils Lake. They made their home at Oberon, ND until 1989 when they moved to Devils Lake due to her husband’s ill health. Most recently, Margaret was a resident of the Odd Fellows Basic Care Home in Devils Lake until her passing on April 15th. Margaret was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Devils Lake where funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Robert Buechler officiating. Margaret was actively involved in Benson County civic and church organizations, having served as president of the Benson County Republican Women’s group, and as a member of the WELCA of Calvary Lutheran Church and the Benson County Homemaker’s Club. Upon moving to Devils Lake, she began to pursue her lifelong interest in poetry and published a book of her writings in 1990, completing a revised and expanded edition in 2005. She was a long-time member of the Lake Region Writer’s Group and, at the time of her death, was well into writing her first novel. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Olger, a daughter, Arliss K., a son, Orland E. Hanson, three brothers Joseph Ganje, John Ganje and Bartholomew “Bert” Ganje and three sisters Julia “Judy” Wallace, Marie Robinson and Katherine Olson. She leaves three daughters, Olene Bigelow (Larry), Maple Grove, MN; Ona Gustafson, (Elverne), Benson, MN; and Roberta Behlke, Maple Lake, MN. Margaret is also survived by two sons, George Hanson, Lusby, MD and Floyd Hanson (Shelley) of Minot, ND. Margaret also leaves four grandsons Olger “Nick” Hanson, Matthew Behlke, Travis Hanson and Jacob Hanson and three granddaughters Stacie Bigelow, Jill Bigelow-Rossing and Thea Hanson-Grindeland and one great-granddaughter Estelle Grindeland. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday (today) from 4:00 p.m until 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Interment will be at the Hillside Cemetery, Oberon, ND on Wednesday at 1:45 p.m. Serving as Casket Bearers for Margaret will be Bill Finley, Alan Hanson, Tim Finley, Bobby Hendrickson, Steve Bracken and Huck Krueger. Music will be provided by Renee Gilderhus, soloist and Brenda Swenseth, pianist.