Betty Hanson, 1925-2018
Published 1:00 am Friday, June 29, 2018
Betty Lyle Hanson, 93, of Albert Lea and Byron joyfully reunited with beloved husband, Palmer, on Thursday, June 27, 2018, in their eternal home. Betty passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends at Samaritan Bethany Home in Rochester.
Betty Hanson
Born April 20, 1925, in Chicago, Betty graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1943. Betty loved art and fashion, designing window displays at J.C. Penney. During World War II, Betty worked in the sliced bacon line at Wilson & Co. meat packing plant. She married Palmer on June 28, 1945. Betty was a homemaker, later working for the drivers license examination office.
Betty was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Albert Lea, where her grandfather was pastor for 17 years. Betty served as deacon and in the Mary Martha Circle. After moving to Byron she was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Rochester.
Betty was “Nana” to her grandchildren. Smart, talented, classy and witty, Betty contented herself putting others first. She loved to travel — seeing the pyramids and the Nile, and walking in the Holy Land where Jesus walked. At age 79, Betty ate chocolate in Paris. She loved New Mexico’s jewelry and art galleries. Betty wrote many letters to her family and friends.
Betty is survived by her children Vicki (Phil) Wintheiser of Byron and the Rev. Murray (Mary) Hanson of Rockford, Illinois; six grandchildren, Dr. Mia (Dane Smith) Wintheiser, Andrew Hanson, Tai Kraft, Rebecca (Brandon) Smith, Casey Wintheiser and Tony (Kristi) Wintheiser; and 12 great-grandchildren, Collin, Calvin and Allison Smith, Lillian and Eleanor Hanson, Solomon and Isaac Fisher, Abe Smith, Emily, Charlotte and Noah Wintheiser, and Levi Wintheiser.
She was preceded in death by parents James and Ann; husband, Palmer; granddaughter, Erin; and best friend, Dorothy.
A memorial service for Betty will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Rochester. The Rev. T.J. Parlette will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
The family prefers memorials to First Presbyterian Church in Rochester or to United Way Olmsted County Imagination Library. Online condolences are welcome at www.byronfuneralhome.com.
