Grace O. Hanson

Grace O. Hanson, 92, of Viroqua died Wednesday, April 21, 2010. Grace Olive Hanson, age 92 of Viroqua, died Wednesday evening, April 21, 2010 at her home. She was born on March 25, 1918, one of eight children, and the daughter of Ole and Regina (Nelson) Brothen. Grace graduated from Westby High School and on October 5, 1937 she was united in marriage to Clarence Hanson in Waukon, Iowa. To this marriage nine children were born. Clarence and Grace raised their family farming in the Viroqua-Westby area. Grace was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church for many years, serving as a Sunday School Teacher, church council, church treasurer and a member of the Bethel Ladies Aid. In January of 1958 she worked outside the home at the Vernon County Home and continued for the next 25 years, most of the time, demonstrating her baking and cooking skills in the County Home bakery and kitchen. Grace retired in 1983 to spend more time with her family and grandchildren. She loved cooking, canning and gardening. The love she had for her family was always present. The grandchildren thought she was the Best! A wonderful caring mother to her children. In 2000, following the loss of Clarence, she moved to Viroqua where she resided until her death. Surviving Grace are her children: Yvonne (Maynard) Parker of Rockford, IL, Richard Hanson, Chippewa Falls, WI, Sonja (Donald) Nelson of Foxfire, NC, Robert (Kay) Hanson of Denver, CO, Barbara (Larry) Leis of Onalaska, WI, Patricia Hanson of Lake Bluff, IL, James (Debra) Hanson of Viroqua, WI; 35 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren complete her family. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clarence; twins, Jerry Ray and Jean Ruth; grandson, Randy Parker; daughter-in-law, Patty Hanson; sisters: Ruth Selin and Alice Ingham; brothers: Thurman, Arnold and Harley Brothen. Special thanks to Franciscan Skemp ICU and Vernon Memorial Hospital and Hospice for their kind and loving care. Memorial may be offered to Bethel Lutheran Church and Vernon Memorial Hospice House Fund. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 24, 2010 at Bethel Lutheran Church, rural Viroqua. Pastor Kris Fahey will officiate with burial in the Bethel church cemetery. Friends may call on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 123 W. Decker Street in Viroqua and on Saturday one hour prior to the service at the church. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.com. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.