Leonie V. Hanson

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Leonie Virginia Hanson, 93, of Garretson, died on Wednesday, October 8, 2014, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will begin at 1:30 PM Saturday, October 11, 2014, at the Zion Lutheran Church, Garretson. Visitation with the family present will be from 5-8:00 PM Friday, at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Zion Lutheran Church or the Garretson Community Scholarship Foundation.

Leonie was born July 24, 1921 in rural Pipestone, MN to Harvey and Victoria (Rollag) Bly. She graduated from Augustana Academy in 1939 and Augustana College in 1941. Leonie married Robert Hanson on July 16, 1945. They farmed in the Crooks area until they moved to a farm near Garretson, operating a dairy farm for 33 of those years.

Leonie taught school at Crooks and Lyons. She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Garretson and Zion Lutheran WELCA. Leonie served as a dedicated member of the Altar Guild. She loved studying the Bible as well as being active in teaching many Bible Studies including the Bethel Bible Study Series. She served her community as a member of the Neighborhood Extension Club, assistant Librarian at the Minnehaha County Branch at Garretson, and as a member of the Garretson Historical Society.

Leonie enjoyed going to all of her children and grandchildren’s activities. She was a voracious reader. Just a couple of her hobbies were rosemaling and bowling. Leonie’s creative gifts were also evident in her paintings. Many of her paintings have been on display at Bethany Lutheran Home in Brandon. Leonie was a gracious and loving mother and grandmother. She nurtured her family’s faith as well as their bodies. She loved to cook and bake.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children: Vicki (Ron) Van Heuvelen, Oskaloosa, IA; Kay (Ed) Becker, Oldham, SD; Stan (Gail) Hanson, Garretson; Kristi (Don) Gramstad, Larchwood, IA; Mary (Damon) Milner, Onalaska, WI; Jim (Vonnie) Hanson, Garretson; and Rodney (Kim) Hanson, Crooks; 17 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law: Christine Bly, Sioux Falls, and Cas Bly, Garretson; and a brother-in-law, Earl King, Spokane, WA. Leonie was preceded in death by her loving husband, Robert; her parents; three brothers: John, Burnell, and Loren Bly; and one sister, Grace Berg.