Gwendolyn Hanson, 1940-2016

Published 9:00 am Sunday, February 7, 2016

Memorial services for Gwendolyn (Gwen) D. Hanson of Albert Lea will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Hayward Lutheran Church in Hayward. The Rev. Josh Enderson will officiate. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Hayward Cemetery in the spring.

Gwendolyn Hanson

Gwen died Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, at St Marys Hospital in Rochester. Gwen was 75.

Gwen was born Aug. 25, 1940, the daughter of Erling G. and Audrey B. (Anderson) Skaar in Albert Lea. She was a graduate of Albert Lea High School and the Johnson Beauty Academy. On Oct. 22, 1960, she was united in marriage to Richard L. (Dick) Hanson at the Hayward Lutheran Church. Gwen worked for 10 years as a beautician at the Looking Glass Salon and was the co-owner of the Heart of The Artichoke in Albert Lea and the Loon’s Nest in Nevis.

Gwen was a lifetime member of Hayward Lutheran Church, where she was active in WELCA, Church Council, Altar Guild and taught Sunday school. She was a member of the Hayward Booster Club, Normana Club and Sons of Norway. She served on the board at the eight-plex in Hayward, the Nevis Civic Commerce and the Community Education Council. Gwen enjoyed camping with her family and loved to travel.

She is survived by her daughter, Caroline, and her husband, Michael McDowell of Spring, Texas; grandchildren Nichole and Bryanna Hanson and Aaron and Addison McDowell. Also surviving are siblings Gary (Peggy) Skaar of Pensacola, Florida, Bonnie Skaar Johnson of Charles City, Iowa, Lee (Joyce) Skaar of Dundas, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gwen was preceded in death by her parents Erling and Audrey Skaar; husband, Richard L. (Dick) Hanson; son, E. Graden Hanson; twin sons in infancy Mitchell and Michael; daughter-in-law, Kathy (Jesse) Hanson; and father- and mother-in-law E. LaVerne and Harriet Hanson.

Gwen will be sadly missed by her loving family and many friends. Memorials to the Hayward church or donor’s choice.