Ramona Ann Hanson
Ramona Hanson, 91, of Columbia, SD passed away on July 25th at Avera St Lukes in Aberdeen.
Ramona Ann Larson was born on September 26, 1934 to Raymond and Anna (Waage) Larson in Aberdeen SD. She grew up and attended school there, graduating from Aberdeen Central High School. An industrious young woman, Ramona sought employment immediately after high school. She first held a position at Artz Studio but soon found a job as a receptionist in a dentist’s office. It was there that a handsome young patient named Arlen Hanson caught her eye. The feeling was apparently mutual and they began dating. One of their favorite date sites was Tacoma Park Ballroom where they danced many nights away doing the jitterbug. They married on January 10, 1954 and moved to a cozy little trailer house near Arlen’s parents on the family farm. Ramona was not experienced with farm life but adjusted quickly as her first responsibility was chickens. She picked, cleaned, crated and sold the eggs of a thousand laying hens, and butchered chickens as well. Over the years she worked with Arlen in nearly every aspect of farm life--pigs, calves, mowing, gardening, canning—as they together partnered with Arlen’s father and brothers in a large scale farm operation. All of that along with becoming a mother as Ramona and Arlen added a son, Richard Arlen, to their family.
Ramona found time to be active in her community as well. She enjoyed being a part of the Red Hatters Club from Columbia along with many good friends and served on the Board at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen. She especially loved being an active participant at Trinity Lutheran Church in Houghton. She taught Sunday School, sang in the church choir, belonged to Circle and Ladies’ Aid, and was Secretary-Treasurer of the Church Council. Perhaps her favorite activity was the Quilters. She started the group at Trinity and so much enjoyed the fellowship of the other quilters. Although committed to working on their quilts, there was always time set aside for coffee breaks and friendship. And of course she took pride in the accomplishment of completing countless quilts, over 100 one year, which were donated to Lutheran World Relief.
Ramona will be remembered by those who knew her as a caring woman with a big heart who was generous with her time wherever there was a need.
Grateful for having shared Ramona’s life are her husband, Arlen Hanson; son, Richard (Rick) Arlen Hanson; grandson, Jerick (McKenzie) Hanson; siblings, Richard (Wanda) Larson; Virginia (Millard) Deline; brothers-in-law Thomas Hanson and Larry (Joe) Hanson; sisters-in-law Alice Hanson, Lana Hanson and Carolyn (Jung) Hanson; numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews as well as many cousins.
Preceding Ramona in death are her parents Raymond Larson and Anna Anderson; her father and mother-in-law Conrad and Ann Hanson; sisters-in-law, Yvonne Wahl and LaVila Hanson; brothers-in-law, Ted Wahl, Robert (Bob) Hanson, and Jan Hanson; and several other extended family members.
The family suggests that those considering memorials might direct them to Trinity Lutheran Church in Houghton, SD or Make-A-Wish Foundation, 1400 W 17th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57104.