Ethel "Effie" M. Hanson

Ethel M. “Effie” Hanson, 98 of Devils Lake, ND passed away peacefully on Friday, August 9, 2019 at Eventide Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake.

Funeral Services for Effie will be on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Jim Paulson officiating.  She will be laid to rest with her son Jimmy in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Vocalist will be Donovan Foughty accompanied by Jean Aardahl.

Gathering of family and friends will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday, August 16^th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.

Feel free to dress in the color purple. 

Ethel Maude was born on October 29, 1920 on a farm near Millarton, North Dakota, the daughter of William and Orianna (Miracle) Barnick, the 2^nd youngest of 7 children.  She attended grade school in Millarton and graduated from Nortonville High School in 1939.   During high school years she played basketball and sang in a triple trio with Peggy Lee, who of course later became very famous.  Effie was a hard worker from a very young age, always doing chores for neighbors to earn a little money to help out the family.

Effie was united in marriage to Donald A. Hanson on June 5, 1939 at LaMoure, ND.  They lived on the Barnick farm for 2 years then moved to Jamestown, where Don began a career with Montgomery Ward.  They transferred to Valley City and then to Devils Lake where they lived the rest of their lives. 

Effie worked at The Ranch and Huesgen’s Jewelry for several years and also side by side with Don at Montgomery Ward, assisting Don with winning several contests and awards for outstanding sales.  After Don retired, Effie and Don worked together as owners and operators of the “Honey Wagon” for 35 years.  Don died on June 4, 2003.

Effie was a baptized and confirmed member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church.  She so enjoyed her League Bowling for many many years, winning a City Tournament and traveling to several National Bowling Tournaments. 

Effie truly lived life to the fullest and wanted that for everyone she met.  She loved “Crazy Days” and won “Best Costume Award” for many years.  She was a member of the Lakewood Birthday Club and totally loved celebrating birthdays, especially her own.  She never left a conversation or a room without telling a joke or two.  She was a go-getter and young at heart.  While in assisted living and Eventide she wanted life to be happy and exciting with good food and good times for everyone to enjoy, and made sure everyone was included.   While living in the assisted living and nursing home, she was a definite advocate of the residents for change. 

Effie was the loudest cheerleader at all of her children’s activities.  She was a Minnesota Twins fan.  After Don's passing, she spent her winters in Las Vegas, NV with her son Rocky and granddaughter Tomi and their families.  Effie loved Vegas.  Effie wasn’t a doting mother, but she left a legacy by example....to be kind, help others in need, be honest and simply "tell it the way it was".  She taught us to say our prayers at bedtime. 

Effie’s loving family include her children Don (Clarice) Hanson, Detroit Lakes, MN, Charlotte (Dick) Sapa, Columbia Falls, MT, Darrell “Rocky” Hanson, Henderson, NV and Kim (Joe) Burdick, Devils Lake and daughter-in-law Jody Hanson, Devils Lake; ND; grandchildren, Chad (Lynette) Hanson, Cheyenne, WY, Charlene King, Columbia Falls, MT,  Beth Hanson, Fergus Falls, MN, Kerry (Michael)  Morrison, Fayetteville, NC, Billy Sapa, Columbia Falls, MT, Tomi (Alex) Amelburu Las Vegas, NV, Patrick (Lorine) Hanson, Las Vegas, NV. Blaine Burdick, Devils Lake, ND; Briana (Aaron) Wellman; 17 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren; brother-in-law (who will be 100 in September) Louis Hanson, Bismarck, ND; sister-in-law Mary Lou Carlson, Fargo, ND and many special nieces, nephews and their families.

 Preceded in death by her husband Donald Hanson, son James "Skinny" Hanson, grandson Jimmy Sapa and 6 brothers and sisters. She was the last surviving member of her family.