J. Elaine (Barkema) Hanson

J. Elaine (Barkema) Hanson, age 87, Clark died late Friday in a Clark care center. She had taught several years in the Clark School System prior to her retirement and had also served as Mayor of Clark. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 10AM in the St. Paul Lutheran Church at Clark with the Rev. Robin Schaunaman officiating. Burial will follow in the Clark Center Lutheran Cemetery near Clark. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 6-8 PM at the Furness Funeral Home in Clark and after 9AM at the Church on Thursday morning. Music will be presented by Dorothy Fuller as organist and Roger Nordhus as soloist. Casketbearers will be her grandchildren, Erika Thompson, Jeramiah Johnson, Catherine Parrin, Michael Hanson, Brent Hanson, Matthew Lewis, JessAnne Lewis and Trisha Lewis. She was born on September 18, 1921, on a farm near Doland, SD, the daughter of John and Ruby (Brown) Thompson. She attended school near Doland and then graduated from Doland High School in 1939. While in high school she enjoyed debate, drama, band and chorus. In the fall of 1939 she attended Northern State Teachers College and obtained her teaching certificate. Her first teaching position was in Capitola Township in 1940 where she earned $65.00 per month. She taught in various other country schools in the area and then on July 25, 1946 she was united in marriage to David Barkema. He was stationed in the US Navy and was home on leave. They moved to Palo Alto, CA for a short time before returning to Doland in 1949. She continued teaching in various communities in the area while continuing her education at Northern receiving a B.S. in 1969, graduating Cum Laude with a major in upper elementary education, double minor in government and English. She also attended and completed extension night classes and summer school courses from Northern, Huron College and Mount Marty. Her career experiences teaching in various South Dakota Public Schools from 1940-1963 including Willow Lake from 1952-1963. In 1963 she became an educator in the Clark School System. David died in 1967. On June 19 of 1970 she was united in marriage to George Hanson. The couple made their home at Clark where she continued teaching in the Clark School until retiring in 1984. In 1985 she was elected to the Clark City Council where she served until being elected as Mayor of Clark in 1986. She served in this capacity until 1994. Elaine was also active in many civic groups including the Rebekah Lodge, a 44 year member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Order of Eastern Star, Business and Professional Women, served many years as a counselor at Girls' State, the Clark Area Chamber of Commerce, Clark Economic Development Board and other community activities including a bowling league, golf club, Sunday School teacher, Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, extension clubs to name a few; Elaine truly was a community minded resident of Clark, she cared very much about her community. She also was involved on many levels of South Dakota educators groups. Survivors who are grateful for having shared in her life are her husband George of Clark, daughter, Jeannie (Mark) Lewis of Fisher, MN, step-sons, Ray (Rosella) Hanson of Clark, Bruce (Jeanne) Hanson of Spearfish, SD, 8 grandchildren, Erika Thompson, Jeramiah Johnson, Catherine Parrin, Michael & Brent Hanson, Matthew, JessAnne and Trisha Lewis; 8 great-grandchildren, Darin, Sydney, Jordyn, George, Ethan, Tyreque, Tanner and Madeline. She also leaves a sister, Karen Wanamaker of Beresford, SD and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Thompson of Redfield. Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, David Barkema and brothers, Larry and Gordon Thompson. Arrangements are announced by the Furness Funeral Home at Clark where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com