Deanna M. Hanson

Deanna M. Hanson, 81 of Minnewaukan, ND passed away on Friday, September 27, 2019, at Trinity Medical Center, Minot, ND with her loving family at her side.

Funeral Services for Deanna will be held on Friday, October 4, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Free Lutheran Church in Minnewaukan. Burial will be in St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery, rural Minnewaukan. 

Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, October 3, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. with a prayer service and time of sharing at 6:30 p.m. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.

Deanna Margaret Olson was born on January 16, 1938, at Devils Lake, ND, the daughter of Holger and Ida (Beck) Olson. Deanna attended school in Oberon and Minnewaukan, graduating from Minnewaukan High School with the class of 1955.   Deanna was at one time married to Oscar Hanson, Jr. and they were the proud parents of four children.

Deanna worked for several years in the Benson County Abstract Office before beginning a 40 plus year career with Social Services. She served in the Benson County office from 1966 until 1987. She then continued her career at the Spirit Lake Tribal Social Service Office in Fort Totten, ND, retiring in 2010. 

Deanna was an active member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, the WELCA and anything that had to do with music. She played the piano and organ for the church services, for countless weddings, funerals and special events.  After retirement she volunteered her time as the accompanist for the Minnewaukan School music students.  She also so willingly helped out other churches in need of an organist, including St. Olaf and Trinity Free Lutheran Churches. 

Deanna was an avid reader, talented seamstress and musician. She had a green thumb for gardening and was very meticulous about her yard.   Many fun times were enjoyed in Umpma’s front yard where four generations of family would hang out, and others would stop by to visit.  She was loved by so many people due to her spunky and witty personality--she was one of a kind!  

Deanna’s passion was caring and serving others. She dedicated her life to working with Social Services, doing anything she could to help families in need.  Her family meant the world to her and her most treasured times were spent with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Deanna’s faith brought her strength, courage and blessings throughout her life.  The quote, “When we sing we pray twice” was lived by Deanna, “When she played she prayed twice.” “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Deanna will be missed by her loving family. Her daughters Nancy Thompson (John Frith), Devils Lake, Cheryl Hanson and Jill Schafer (Thomas Lang) both of Minnewaukan; three grandchildren Mitchell Weed, Brant Hanson (Rachael Renaud) and Brittany Weed (Travis Kraft) and Steven (Becky) Lang, Kim (Nathan) Zentz and Korissa Bergrud; three great grandchildren Cade, Lux and Kamry and Amanda, Kaylee, Jaeslei, Taber, Cannon and Mason; siblings John (Donna) Olson, West Fargo, ND, Ginny (Gary) Sears, Minnewaukan, Bill (Norma) Olson, Washington and Mike (Cindy Moe) Olson, Devils Lake; sister-in-law Marlene Hanson and brother-in-law Dennis Schwan both of Devils Lake; several nieces, nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents and son Tom Hanson.

Urn bearers for Deanna will be her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Music will be provided by Debbie Dyste, Claudette Carlson, Jim Sears and James Wang.