BETTY HANSON obituary

CHESTER - Harriet Betty Hanson, 79, died Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, at a Great Falls medical center.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Chester. Burial will follow at the Chester Cemetery.

Betty was born on Dec. 12, 1923, at Algona, Iowa, to Charles and Christene (Stromberg) Hanson. She grew up at Algona and received her formal education there.

Betty was handicapped with a leg disability but didn't let that stop her from being active and productive. In her early years, she worked as a dishwasher in restaurants and operated a press machine at a laundry company. Extended time on her feet caused increased weakness in her legs, so she began working at home as a caregiver to her parents. Her father died in 1959 and her mother died in 1971. Betty remained in Algona until 1977, then moved to Chester to be near her sisters.

She became a resident of the Sweetgrass Lodge in 1979. Her health continued to fail, so she transferred into the Liberty County Nursing Home in 1992. She developed pneumonia about two weeks ago and was transferred to Benefis East Medical Center.

Betty was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Algona. She attended Our Savior's Lutheran Church during her early years in Chester, but was unable to participate as her health failed. She enjoyed attending church services at the nursing home.

Betty's favorite activities included embroidery, latch-hooking, and jigsaw puzzles. In her younger years, enjoyed cooking, especially homemade soups and cakes, and working in the garden with her mother. Though her eyesight was failing, Betty enjoyed reading and looked forward to the Guidepost publication and the comics in the Sunday newspaper. Her favorite television shows were "Jeopardy" and "Wheel of Fortune." She loved costume jewelry and amassed a collection of jewelry items over the years.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Christene (Stromberg) Hanson; brother, Charles Hanson Jr.; and half-sister, Myrtle Broadhurst.

Survivors include her sister, Violet "Butch" Bauder of Chester; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel, Chester.