Mabel Hanson

Mabel E. Hanson, 102, died Monday, October 29, 2007, at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. She was born March 27, 1905, in Orwell Township of Otter Tail County near Fergus Falls, the daughter of Ole and Otilia (Hill) Sholberg. She was baptized April 6, 1905, and confirmed May 2, 1920, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Mabel grew up with her five sisters and two brothers, attending grade school at District #197 in Orwell Township. She graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1924 and from Teacher?s Training in 1925. For 28 years she taught in rural schools in the Ottertail, Fergus Falls, and Elizabeth areas. On June 25, 1934, she married Martin R. Hanson of Lakefield, MN, in an evening ceremony at the home of her parents. They lived on a farm in Belmont Township near Lakefield, MN, before moving to a farm at Dayton Hollow near Fergus Falls. In 1980 they moved to River Bend Apartments. She lived there 14 years before she moved to the Broen Memorial Home. Mabel was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where she had been an active member of the ELCW. She enjoyed being a member of the Orwell Homemakers Group and the Orwell Sunshine Circle. She was very artistic, an accomplished painter in oils and acrylics, and was learning watercolor painting. Her many talents included upholstery work, sewing, crocheting, wallpapering, and gardening. She raised her three daughters lovingly, and taught them from her heart. Preceding her in death were her husband, Martin Hanson; her parents, Ole and Otilia Sholberg; three brothers: John (who died as an infant), Oscar, and Julius; four sisters: Minda, Clara, Lillie, and Selma; and a son-in-law, Gerald Knapp. Survivors include her three daughters: Marlys (Tom) Bowen of Kent, WA, Mary Payne of Kent, WA, and Myrna Knapp-Safford (Bob Safford) of Sturgeon Bay, WI; ten grandchildren: Mark Sateren, Renton, WA, Patricia Sateren, Kent, WA, Mike Sateren, Buckley, WA, Christopher Garry, Renton, WA, Randy Payne, Vancouver, WA, Lori Mercer, Auburn, WA, David Knapp, Waterford, MI, Steve Knapp, Elkhart Lake, WI, and Tim Safford and Ron Safford, both of Bradenton, FL; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and her sister, Anna Ordal, 104 years old, of Fergus Falls. Mabel was always kind and loving. She will be greatly missed. Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the Broen Home Service: 11 a.m. Saturday at the Light & Life Auditorium, Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Harland Helland. Chaplain Ken Austin, and Reverend Kate Bruns Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens in Fergus Falls Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Memorials are preferred to the Bethlehem Organ Fund and the Broen Memorial Home. Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com