Phyllis Lorraine (Hull) Hanson, age 87, a lifelong resident of Baldwin, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on April 13, 2015 in her beloved farmhouse.

Phyllis was born on September 2, 1927 in Woodville, Wisconsin to parents Louis and Petra (Falkenborg) Hull. She grew up in the Baldwin area, attending East Baldwin Elementary School and graduating from Baldwin High School in 1946. Phyllis was united in marriage to Edward “Ed” Hanson on July 15, 1950 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baldwin. They were blessed with seven children that they raised on their dairy farm north of Baldwin.

Phyllis led a simple yet extraordinary life as a humble servant of her Lord and Savior. God’s love and goodness was apparent in her daily life and she will be forever remembered for her kind, gentle and generous spirit. She especially treasured time with Ed and her family at the farm and was happiest when her kitchen was overflowing with family and friends. She loved and adored her children and grandchildren and in immeasurable ways made certain each one knew it. Phyllis was known for her exceptional cooking and baking. She prepared fabulous meals, extended countless invitations to her table and made the task of delivering a feast to those working in farm fields look easy. Prior to the meal at holiday gatherings, Phyllis routinely read a devotion or scripture followed by a most beautiful, thoughtful prayer. Her scrumptious lemon bars and sour cream raisin pie were Ed’s favorites and she made certain he often got them.

Since 1976 Phyllis kept a hand-written journal in which she recorded the happenings of each day. If you knew Phyllis, chances are your name appears in one or more of her journals. Within the words of her nearly forty years of journaling one can feel her love and compassion for her family, friends, neighbors and community. She leaves a beautiful legacy in her writings and her family will forever cherish each one of her journals.

Phyllis was a devoted member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church where throughout the years she was involved with Ladies Circle, served on various committees and taught Sunday School. She loved her church family to which she always extended a warm greeting, a caring touch or empathetic ear. Phyllis enjoyed spending time in her flower beds, attending family, church and community events, visiting with friends, listening to her family play piano and especially her outings with Ed, whether by horse or car.

When Phyllis was near, the world seemed calmer, gentler, kinder, safer.

Phyllis will forever remain in the hearts of her husband Ed of 64 years; children, Lee (Janet) Hanson of Baldwin, Byron (Cathy) Hanson of Cannon Falls MN, David (Karen) Hanson of Baldwin, Bob (Pam) Hanson of Spring Valley, Peggy (Rollie) Smith of Baldwin, Amy Hanson (Brad Boldt) of Baldwin and Mary Hanson (Nick Marien) of Woodville; grandchildren, Dana (Jim), Laura, Julie, Daniel, Douglas, Emily, Bridget (Brian), Hannah (Josh), Kyle, Abby (Kyle), and Jason; great-grandson, Aiden; brother, Louis (Jane Ann) Hull, sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Eleanor “Toots” Holle and Florence Larson; brother-in-law, “Dip” (Carolyn) Hanson; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends and neighbors.

She is preceded in death by infant son, Philip, grandson, Todd Hanson; her parents and infant twin brothers; parents-in-law, Christ and Emma (Krause) Hanson; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Helen (George) Barringer, Margaret (Wilbert) Landaal, John “Ed” Larson, Leon Holle, Herman Hanson and Raymond Hanson.

Funeral Services for Phyllis will be at 11:00am on Saturday, April 18th at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 1350 Florence Street, Baldwin. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church, and also from 4:00-8:00pm on Friday, April 17th at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 1010 Newton Street, Baldwin. Interment will be in the Baldwin Cemetery.