Funeral services for 76-year-old Loretta Hanson will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday morning, March 5, 2015, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. James, Minnesota. The church is located at 315 9th Street South.
Visitation will be held at LaCanne Family Funeral Services in Windom, Minnesota, located at 2280 6th Avenue, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2015.
Loretta Hanson passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2015 at Windom Area Hospital in Windom, Minnesota.
Loretta Hanson was born in Mountain Lake, Minnesota, on March 8, 1938, the daughter of Frederick Reinhart and Amanda (Kunkel) Heffele. She was given the name Loretta Ruth, meaning “pure friend,” and she truly fit the definition. She was baptized on April 3, 1938, at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Mountain Lake by Pastor R.A. Marquardt. Her sponsors were Gustav Heffele and Alvina Holland. She was later confirmed at the same church on April 6, 1952, by Pastor Reuben L. Ehlen.
Loretta spent her childhood in Mountain Lake and obtained her education from Jeffers Public High School, graduating with the Class of 1956.
Loretta was married to Myron Dean Hanson on October 12, 1956, at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mountain Lake, with Pastor Reuben L. Ehlen officiating at the ceremony. Their marriage was blessed with three daughters, Tracey Ann, Paige Alese, and Amy Jo.
Loretta and Myron lived in Butterfield, Minnesota, and Tacoma, Washington, early in their marriage and moved to Hendricks, Minnesota, in 1967. Loretta worked at various jobs throughout her life, including farming with Myron. She retired from the Farm Service Agency in Ivanhoe, Minnesota, in 2001 after 23 years of service. They moved from the farm into the City of Hendricks in 2000, and together they enjoyed their retirement there until moving to Windom, Minnesota, in October 2013.
Loretta was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hendricks from 1967 to 2014, when she joined St. John’s Lutheran Church in Darfur, Minnesota. Loretta’s faith was foremost in her life, and she was a very dedicated servant, knowing her final journey would be to heaven. She was extremely active in her church, serving many years as superintendent and teacher of Vacation Bible School and Sunday School, officer of Ladies Aid, and attending Bible Study. She looked forward to the church summer picnic and Christmas party. Serving a meal for her church family brought her such joy.
Loretta enjoyed quilting, sewing, flower and vegetable gardening, puzzles, crocheting, reading, sharing a cup of coffee, baking and cooking. Holiday time was very special to her, and she made sure she made everyone’s favorite treats, especially cut-out frosted sugar cookies for her grandchildren. Her family looked forward to Christmastime at Grandma’s . . . the laughter, food, and games were endless and she always created unique origami gifts for her grandchildren. She was an avid collector of, and loved to display,\ her Department 56 Village and Clothtique Santas.
Loretta was a hard worker, striving for perfection in whatever she did. Her family was very important to her, and she was a compassionate and fun-loving wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her friends, especially her dear Iva Mae. The strength Loretta exhibited in any hurdle life gave her was extraordinary . . . there was never a complaint of pain or hint of self-pity. Her life will forever have a positive impact on all with whom she was shared it.
Loretta is survived by her husband of 58 years, Myron Hanson of Jackson, Minnesota; daughters, Tracey (Ronald) Hanson Schramel of Windom, Paige (John) Scholl of Austin, Minnesota and Amy (Mark) Bauer of New Ulm, Minnesota; two grandsons, Hunter Johnson of San Diego, California and Landon Johnson of Brookings, South Dakota; one granddaughter, Grace Bauer of New Ulm; two step-grandchildren, Jonah Scholl of Kennesaw, Georgia and Anya Neppl of Durham, North Carolina; three step-great-grandchildren, Chloe and John Lawson Scholl of Kennesaw and Samantha Neppl of Durham; two sisters, Norma (Lowell) Koenig of Stillwater, Minnesota and Judith Garbers of Truman, Minnesota; two brothers, Gary (Carol) Heffele of Lake Benton, Minnesota and Charles (MaryAnn) Heffele of Butterfield and brother-in-law, Wayne (Vonnie) Mathistad, St. James.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Frederick and Amanda Heffele; stepmother, Elisabeth Heffele; one sister, Marjean Mathistad; parents-in-law, Maylon and Laura Hanson; niece, Joan Mathistad and nephews, Kim Mathistad, Rick Koenig, and Kevin Mathistad.
