Kathlyn (Kay) E. Hanson

Nov. 25, 1922 - April 11, 2022

Kathlyn (Kay) Emmaline Hanson, daughter of Walter and Signe Erickson, was born November 25, 1922, in Urness Township, Evansville, MN. Kathlyn died peacefully on April 11, 2022, in Lakewood Care Center at the age of 99 after a long courageous, beautiful life. Kathlyn was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and colleague.

A Celebration of Kathlyn’s life will be held on Friday, April 29, 2022, at 11 AM at Faith Lutheran Church in Staples, MN. Interment will be at Mound Grove Cemetery in Evansville, date to be announced later.

She grew up on the family farm near Evansville and attended District 87, Sunnyside Country school thru 8th grade followed by Evansville High School, graduating in 1940. Kay met the love of her life, Stanley Hanson in high school. Following graduation, she worked in Minneapolis and completed her Registered Nursing education at the Swedish Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis. Stanley was stationed on the east coast in the USN. In the spring of 1945, Kathlyn caught a train and joined Stanley out east where the two were united in marriage on May 5. Following the war and Stan’s duties in the Navy, they lived in Minneapolis, followed by Madison, Wi and later returned to a farm outside of Evansville where they raised their 4 children. Suddenly in 1968 at the age of 46, Stanley passed away. Kathlyn sold the farm and moved into the city of Evansville.

Throughout her life, her commitment to nursing has shown through. She dedicated herself as an RN at Douglas County Hospital - Our Lady of Mercy Hospital (Alomere Health) for over 30 years. Following her retirement from the hospital, she assisted as an RN part-time at Crestview Manor (Evansville Care Campus). Even after moving to Lakewood Care Center, you could hear her visiting with the staff on how it “should be done”, of course in her sweet way.

Kathlyn dedicated herself to the Lord and was an active member at Faith Lutheran Church in Evansville as a member of the choir, teaching Sunday school, being a member of the circles, and assisting in any way possible. She opened her home to many guests, with a warm place to stay, share a meal, or a simple cup of coffee with her delicious coffee bread or a fresh piece of lefse or flatbread. She loved to bake, enjoyed all forms of music, gardening, ceramics, needlepoint, and quilting as well as spending time with her siblings, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her four children: Patricia (Guy) Hogle, Austin, TX, Steven (Jody) Hanson, Brandon, MN, Beth Fabian, Staples, MN and Eric Hanson, Knoxville, TN; grandchildren Caroline (Jonathan) Bergman, Denver, CO, Peter (Megan) Wollan, Austin, TX, Sean Hanson, Garfield, MN, Stephanie (John) Holt, Somerset, WI, Matthew (Melissa) Fabian, Mason City, IA, Andrew Fabian, Chester, CT, Katrina (Cory) Pauling, Lakefield, MN. Fifteen precious great-grandchildren. Many loving nieces and nephews.

Her husband, Stanley, parents, siblings, and many close relatives and friends preceded her in death.

A special thank you to the entire staff at Lakewood Care Center for the kind and compassionate care they provided Kathlyn.