E. Ingvarda "Varda" Hanson

E. Ingvarda Hanson, age 80, of Fergus Falls, died Monday, May 9, 2016, at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls.

Varda was born on June 7, 1935 in Dane Prairie Township near Fergus Falls, on the homestead of her grandparents, to Albert E. and Hilda (Bergerson) Nelson. She was baptized and confirmed at Swan Lake Lutheran Church. She attended rural country school District #214 until seventh grade and then graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1953. Varda was involved in many extracurricular activities, including music, theater and the Fergus Falls Civic Orchestra. These performances were occasionally presented to residents of the State Hospital, where she was introduced to the behavior and needs of people living with mental illness. Her observations led her into a professional nursing education and the life-long practice of psychiatric nursing.

In 1956, after completing the RN program at Fairview School of Nursing in Minneapolis, she attended the University of Minnesota, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1959. She also attended the Summer School of the University of Oslo. In 1961, she received a Master of Science from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI.

In 1961, Varda married Charles “Chuck” Hanson at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. They lived in Royal Oak, MI, for much of their life. The couple was very involved with the congregation at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Birmingham, MI.

Varda devoted her professional life to mental health/psychiatric nursing education and to clinical practice for forty-three years and much of this time was spent as a tenured Associate Professor at Wayne State University College of Nursing. She was also employed by the University of Minnesota Psychiatric Hospital, Wisconsin State University and as a consultant throughout the United States and Canada. Varda greatly enjoyed working with a diverse population of students and faculty. Her purpose was to serve people, especially those experiencing mental health concerns. She also provided clinical workshops locally and nationally.

Camping together was an important part of life for the Hanson family, especially when they traveled across the country to experience the natural beauty of the land. Later they expanded their travel to Scandinavia and Western Europe. Varda and Chuck often mentioned how close they were to each other, doing most tasks as a team, in sickness and health, and also shared great joy spending time with their daughter Karen and her family.

After Chuck passed away in 2005, Varda retired from Wayne State University and returned to Fergus Falls. She also frequently visited Algeria to be with Karen and her family. In retirement, she used her time to volunteer at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and enjoyed many community activities. Varda worshipped at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls and frequently mentioned the ministry of these friends and clergy, saying “They are part of my family. They are a blessing. Praise to the Lord.” Varda deeply appreciated the caring ways of her many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Hilda Nelson, her husband, Chuck Hanson, and her brothers and sisters.
Varda is survived by her daughter, Karen (Youcef) Abdelmoumene; her granddaughters, Asmaa and Khadija; grandsons, Mouhamed and Abdellah; a niece, Marcia Holt and a cousin, Richard (Jan) Berge and their families. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, friends and other family members.

Memorials are preferred to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Foundation.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 1:30 PM on Monday, May 16, 2016, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverends Tom Peterson and Jake Anderson
Interment: Swan Lake Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fergus Falls