Minerva N. (Thoreson) Hanson

Minerva N. (Thoreson) Hanson, age 91, Watertown, formerly of Vienna and Fargo, ND died in the Jenkins Living Center at Watertown on Monday evening, October 6, 2008. She was the widow of H. Philip Hanson, a Clear Lake native and the sister of Loren (Laurene) Thoreson of Vienna. Public visitation will be held on Friday, October 10 from 5-7 PM at the Furness Funeral Home at Clark. Family services will be held on Saturday at the funeral home chapel with the Reverend Dave Larson officiating. Dorothy Fuller will be the organist. Burial will follow in the Pleasant Lutheran Cemetery near Vienna. She was born on July 9, 1917 in Clark County, south of Clark, the daughter of Trygve and Thora (Framstad) Thoreson. Minerva was baptized in the Lutheran faith and at the age of confirmation, she was confirmed by Reverend Borgan. She attended rural school and graduated from Vienna High School in 1935. She moved to Cheyenne, WY and worked for United Airlines in an aircraft assembly plant during World War II as a "Rosie the Riveter". On December 18, 1945 she was united in marriage to H. Philip Hanson, of Clear Lake, at Watertown, SD. The couple lived in Watertown until being transferred to Fargo, ND in 1953. He died in April of 2003. While living in Watertown she was an active volunteer for the American Heart Association and continued that volunteerism when moving to Fargo. She was active in their fund raising department and in 1967 was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the American Heart Association. She enjoyed traveling, especially to the homeland of her father where he was born in Oslo, Norway. Minerva will long be remembered for her kindness and her willingness to help all. Grateful for having shared in her life is a brother, Loren (Laurene) Thoreson, a nephew, John (Julayne) Thoreson all of Willow Lake, a niece, Barbara (Kim) Stevens of Lake Norden, a neice-in-law, Karen Thoreson of Fargo, great nieces and a great nephew. Preceding her in death were her parents, husband and a nephew, Dean Thoreson. Arrangements are announced by the Furness Funeral Home at Clark where you can send an on-line condolence at www.furnessfuneralhome.com