JoAnn C. Hanson, 91

JoAnn C. Hanson passed quietly on Aug. 31, 2024, at the Kittson Memorial Healthcare Center in Hallock, Minn.
She was born at the homestead farm in Clearbrook, Minn., to Ruth (Johnson) and Gust Kihlstadius on March 31, 1933, and was the second of five children. The doctors told her parents she had weak lungs and her life would be shortened. Not one to back down from a challenge, JoAnn lived to 91.5 years of age.
She was the indoor child on the farm and loved to help her mother with the house chores. She walked and skied to the one-room elementary school, and later rode the bus to Clearbrook High School. She participated in many school activities, such as cheerleading, annual staff and future homemakers. She stayed in town on those days with the whole family’s beloved uncle, Alfred Johnson, who was her mother’s brother and owner of the local gas station. Happy to have lively company, he didn’t mind the burnt dinners she made, and she had the unspeakable luxury of her own room in town.
After graduating as valedictorian of her Clearbrook High School class in 1951, JoAnn attended Bemidji State Teachers College. She paid her own way, working as a short-order cook at a lunch counter. Baking —not cooking — was her skill. College life that started in the Squirrel Hollow dorm with girls who became life-long friends was one of her happiest times. Her roommate, Marlyce (Younggren), along with Philip Peterson of Hallock, introduced her to Philips’ cousin, Harris Hanson. She and Harris married on Oct. 23, 1954, at the old Augustana Lutheran Church in Clearbrook. Prior to marriage, she taught elementary school in Fertile, Minn. Many students kept in touch, calling her their favorite teacher.
After marrying, JoAnn and Harris moved to Mandan, N.D., where he worked at a hardware store and she did babysitting. They moved back to the Red River area in 1955, as Harris’s dad and brother needed help with the farm. JoAnn adored the white farmhouse and the idyllic Red River Lutheran Church and joined the womens’ Bible studies and events. She and Harris welcomed Mark in 1957, Jodi in 1959 and Holly in 1963. The family moved into town in 1966, when Harris’s illness kept him from farm work.
JoAnn was active in the local community and at Grace Lutheran Church as a Sunday school leader, member of WELCA, altar guild, Bible studies, quilting, and Board of the Pioneer Girls. She was a Boy Scout mom, part of Hobby Club, and a member of the Red Hat Club. She worked at the Anderson Pharmacy and gift store for many years, and enjoyed helping customers find just the right thing. Later on, the activities at the Senior Center were important, first because of the longstanding friendships and second due to the frequent birthday celebrations. She did love her cake.
JoAnn was a great mom, helping her kids to the right start in life by teaching the value of doing a job right the first time, instilling creativity by reading stories with different voices for all of the characters, encouraging them to do anything they dreamed about, and sewing the best Halloween costumes. She was an excellent square dancer and attended many dances in Grand Forks, Thief River and Grafton. She loved to drive fast cars and attend classic car shows. Although she vehemently denied taking them, JoAnn often indulged in a good cat nap. Later in life, she enjoyed spending time with the grand and great-grandchildren, and seeing their pictures on what she called “the face books.”
JoAnn is survived by: her son, Mark (Eleanor) of Bowling Green, Ky.; daughter, Holly (David) Hanson-Kollar of Tempe, Ariz.; granddaughters, Sue (Leroy) Eggermont, Binford, N.D., and Katrina (Jonah) Largen, Charlotte, N.C.; two great-grandchildren, Alfred and Alana Eggermont; her brother, Eugene Kihlstadius; and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; husband, Harris; daughter, Jodi; sister, Jackie Froelich; and brothers, Junior and Richard Kihlstadius.
JoAnn’s heavenly family and friends are overjoyed to usher her into the best life. They’ve missed her brilliant smile, kind heart, and the standing offer of a weak cup of coffee.
There will be a celebration of JoAnn’s earthly life to be held at the Red River Lutheran Church sometime during the warm months of 2025. Austin Funeral Home in Hallock will make the arrangements with more to come later. Any donations can be sent to The Station (Hallock Senior Center) in Hallock.