Helen Marie Anderson Hanson was born January 29, 1912 in Orwell Township, Ottertail County (near Fergus Falls), Minnesota to the late August and Emily (Sundberg) Anderson. She was baptized and confirmed at the Augustana Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls, MN by Pastor Clarence P. Hall. Helen attended District 30 School in Orwell Township, a one-room school with a maximum of 30 students. She continued her formal education at a beautician's school in Minneapolis. Helen married Carl Hanson on May 22, 1941. The couple lived in Minneapolis, where Carl was employed by the D.W. Ownen's company. They moved with their children to Benson in 1947, where Helen lived almost continuously until March 2009. Carl became a Sinclair bulk oil distributor in his home town of Benson. During Carl's lifetime, Helen was a housewife, mother, and active participant in the business. After Carl's death in 1969, Helen re-entered the workforce at age 57, and became a nurse's aide at the Swift County Hospital. She loved working at the hospital and continued there into her seventies. Helen and Carl were members of Six Mile Grove Lutheran Church until it closed, and then transferred to Our Redeemer's Church. She was an active church volunteer, who especially enjoyed making quilts with the mission circle. In her later years she resided at Westwood Manor in Benson. In March of 2009, she moved to a nursing home, Brookestone Meadows, in Elkhorn, NE, to be near her son, Warren. She died there on May 24th at the age of 97. Helen had a long and productive life that touched many people. Her longevity followed the example of her mother Emily, who lived to the age of 90 and her maternal grandfather, Andrew Sundberg, who lived to the age of 91. Helen is survived by two children: Warren Hanson and wife, Roni of Waterloo, NE; Janet Grennes and husband Thomas of Raleigh, NC; six grandchildren: Dean Zluticky, Carl Zluticky, Daniel Grennes, Ryan Hanson, Jamin Hanson, and Shaylyn Hanson; five great-grandchildren: Hunter Zluticky, Samuel and Benjamin Hanson, and Madelyn and Asher Hanson, ; numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by three sisters: Alice Ferguson of Fergus Falls, MN, Hazel Olsen of Albuquerque, NM, and Lucy Peterson of Vancouver, WA; and 1 brother: Alvin (Pat) Anderson of Fergus Falls, MN. Helen was preceded in death by husband Carl T. Hanson, daughters Virginia Zluticky, and Arlene Hanson, step-granddaughter Caitlin Gleeson, sisters Evelyn Hanson, Dorothy Kugler, Mabel Anderson, Marion Anderson, and brothers John (Jack), August (Jerry), and Charles (Mike). Helen was a very special lady. Her zest for life and caring for other people left many enduring memories. She was universally loved by everyone she met. She will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Craig Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund.
