Olive Hanson

Olive B. Hanson, 88, Bismarck, died peacefully May 21, 2009, at St. Alexius Hospital. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 5, 2009, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Jeff Tengesdal presiding. Following a fellowship luncheon at the church, inurnment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Olive was the wife of the late Malcolm O. Hanson, whom she married on December 14, 1941, in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was born on August 29, 1920, on a farm near Robinson, ND, the daughter of Raymond and Ingrid Johnson Halsne. She attended rural school, Sioux Falls High School and graduated from Steele High School in 1939. She then attended the former Valley City State Teachers College, graduating in 1941 with a standard teaching degree. After the death of her husband in 1971, she attended Mary College and earned her B.S. degree in 1974. A lifelong teacher, Olive first taught country school for two years in Excelsior Township, Kidder Co., while living on the family farm during World War II. After the war, she did secretarial work in Valley City before she and Malcolm moved to McClusky in 1947, where she was the school hot lunch manager and a substitute teacher. She was an active member of Eastern Star, American Legion Auxiliary, Homemakers, P.T.A. and Grace Lutheran Church and a loyal volunteer for many community events. In 1967, she and Malcolm moved to Bismarck and she taught third grade at Riverside Elementary School until her retirement in 1986. Following retirement, she remained active at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, volunteered at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center and enjoyed regular gatherings with her many teacher friends. Olive was a hardworking, strong and independent woman. She was an avid card player and crossword puzzle master; did sewing, knitting, embroidery, and quilting; made many Raggedy Ann dolls and teddy bears for her friends and family; and baked uncountable batches of buns, cookies and fudge for everyone who knew her. She was a warm, caring and loving person who welcomed all to her many backyard gatherings. Olive is survived by her son, John, Bayfield, WI; her daughter, ElRae Mike Thygeson, Burnsville, MN; two grandchildren, Jennifer James Everson, Jeffrey Thygeson and his fiancée Kandice Nelson; four great grandchildren, Alexa, Ashley, Michael and Brooke Everson; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Malcolm; her parents, Ray and Inga; her brothers, Reynold and Lester; and her sister, Deloris Chester Zech. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the State Historical Society of N.D. Foundation or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Olive Hanson

August 29, 1920 - May 21, 2009