Avanel M. Hanson, age 91, of Lake Mills, Iowa, died Sunday, March 9, 2003, at the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills, Iowa.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at the Lake Mills Evangelical Synod Church with the Rev. Karl Hermanson officiating. Visitation is 5-7 p.m. today, March 12, at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills, and again one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Burial is at Somber Lutheran Cemetery in rural Lake Mills.

Avanel Margarit Hanson was born on April 19, 1911, in Worth County, Silver Lake Township, Iowa, the daughter of Martin and Anna (Holstad) Harmon.

On Feb. 19, 1939, she was united in marriage to Sven R. Hanson. To this union two children were born, Marilyn and Steven. Duaine Harmon, a nephew, became a brother and son to the family in 1946.

Avanel enjoyed needle works and playing cards, crafts, gardening and being wife and mom. She was an active member of Somber Lutheran Church and served on various committees. She worked at Fleetguard in Lake Mills for 13 years.

Avanel is survived by her loving husband, Sven Hanson of Lake Mills; three children: Marilyn and her husband James Brosdahl of Parkersburg, Iowa, Steven and his wife Sandy Hanson of Byers, Colo., and Duaine and his wife Ellyn Harmon of Lake Mills; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren: Kim and her husband Wayne Lefranz and their children, Ashely, Brandon and Tanner of Parkersburg, Ann and her husband Steven Hersom and their children, Calvin, Carl Sven and Maddie of Laurens, Iowa, Douglas and his wife Rhonda Harmon and their children, Chalsey, Derek and Jerod of Lake Mills, Donica and her husband Douglas Arneson and their children, Samantha and Charlie of Joice, Iowa, and Steven Jr. and his wife Karen Hanson of Ft. Hood, Texas; two brothers: Elmer D. Harmon of Lake Mills, and Marvin and his wife Hazel Harmon of Phoenix, Ariz.; sister-in-law, Evelyn Muir of Harlowton, Mont.; along with several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters: Alice Fjeld, Harriet Auringer and Evelyn Steffen; and brothers: Leonard, Ray and Emlet.