Gladys A. Hanson, age 91, of Milton, North Dakota, died on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at Arbor Lane in Burnsville, MN.
Gladys was born to Anton and Anna Hjelmstad on January 30, 1930, in Milton, ND. She graduated from Milton High School in 1948 as Salutatorian of her class. She married Harlan Hanson on August 29th, 1948, at Milton Lutheran Church.
Gladys was employed at the U.S. Postal Service in Milton for 41 years. She was appointed Postmaster on November 10, 1973. Gladys was a member of Milton Lutheran Church and participated in Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and served three terms as President. She belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary, serving in many leadership roles. Gladys became Third District President and was named to several Department Chairmanships. She played in the Milton School band as well as the Community Band and sang in the Milton Lutheran Church choir for 35 years. She was a woman of incredible strength, persistence, poise, and determination.
Gladys met her future husband, Harlan, at the Royal Arch Pavilion in Milton and they have been dancing together ever since. They enjoyed clogging and often performed at community gatherings as well as the Steam Thresher’s Reunion in Rollag and the Minnesota State Fair. After retirement, they spent the winter months in Pharr, TX and danced at the Tropic Star Resort in addition to golfing and making new friendships. Harlan and Gladys shared a deep love for one another, and their relationship was marked with much laughter and hard work.
She is survived by three sons, Handt (and Kathy) Hanson of Prior Lake, Holden (and Danette) Hanson of Lakeville, and Hugh Hanson (and Vini Costanzo) of Pittsburgh, PA; six grandchildren; six great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harlan; brother, Alvin (Thecla) Hjelmstad and sisters, Myrtle (and Frankie) Slama, Helen (and Morris) Holo, Clarice (and Bill) Ring, and Ruth (and Bill) Koehn.
A graveside service of burial will be held at the Milton Cemetery on Saturday, November 27th, 2021, at 11a.m. Those who knew and loved Gladys Hanson are invited to join the Hanson family at the graveside service at 11am. In the case of inclement weather, a brief service will be held at Milton Lutheran Church followed by the burial at the Milton Cemetery. Following the burial, all are invited to a luncheon at Milton Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: Milton Lutheran Church, Milton, ND 58260.
Gladys was born to Anton and Anna Hjelmstad on January 30, 1930, in Milton, ND. She graduated from Milton High School in 1948 as Salutatorian of her class. She married Harlan Hanson on August 29th, 1948, at Milton Lutheran Church.
Gladys was employed at the U.S. Postal Service in Milton for 41 years. She was appointed Postmaster on November 10, 1973. Gladys was a member of Milton Lutheran Church and participated in Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and served three terms as President. She belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary, serving in many leadership roles. Gladys became Third District President and was named to several Department Chairmanships. She played in the Milton School band as well as the Community Band and sang in the Milton Lutheran Church choir for 35 years. She was a woman of incredible strength, persistence, poise, and determination.
Gladys met her future husband, Harlan, at the Royal Arch Pavilion in Milton and they have been dancing together ever since. They enjoyed clogging and often performed at community gatherings as well as the Steam Thresher’s Reunion in Rollag and the Minnesota State Fair. After retirement, they spent the winter months in Pharr, TX and danced at the Tropic Star Resort in addition to golfing and making new friendships. Harlan and Gladys shared a deep love for one another, and their relationship was marked with much laughter and hard work.
She is survived by three sons, Handt (and Kathy) Hanson of Prior Lake, Holden (and Danette) Hanson of Lakeville, and Hugh Hanson (and Vini Costanzo) of Pittsburgh, PA; six grandchildren; six great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harlan; brother, Alvin (Thecla) Hjelmstad and sisters, Myrtle (and Frankie) Slama, Helen (and Morris) Holo, Clarice (and Bill) Ring, and Ruth (and Bill) Koehn.
A graveside service of burial will be held at the Milton Cemetery on Saturday, November 27th, 2021, at 11a.m. Those who knew and loved Gladys Hanson are invited to join the Hanson family at the graveside service at 11am. In the case of inclement weather, a brief service will be held at Milton Lutheran Church followed by the burial at the Milton Cemetery. Following the burial, all are invited to a luncheon at Milton Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: Milton Lutheran Church, Milton, ND 58260.