Adelaide Olinda Hanson, age 98 of Baldwin, passed away peacefully January 1, 2016 at the Baldwin Care Center. Addie was born July 25, 1917, in Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota, the daughter of Norman and Julia (Rognlien) Haukos. She was united in marriage to Arthur Hanson. Their union was blessed with three children, Allen, Gary, and Jannae.
Addie was born in a hurry and never stopped running. Her motto “hard work never hurt anybody,” was a saying that she lived by. Her Pa called her ”Little Bluebird“ and passed on a love of politics, reading, driving, and adventure. Her Ma instilled a love for the natural beauty of this world, kindness and love of learning. Their home was filled with prayer, and the voices of seven children, and the smells of wonderful food.
As a young child, Addie preferred the outdoors to the indoors, spending hours in the barn, riding bareback, as she and her brother Norris chased trains on the prairie. Norwegian was spoken in their home and Addie was a natural. She was often requested by older immigrant families for help on their farms, because of her language skills. Even at 98 she recited the Norwegian table prayer before the family Thanksgiving dinner.
Addie graduated the 8th grade, and learning continued her entire life. Even in her nineties she learned how to use a laptop. She loved old things before it was cool, and her passion for garage sales was well known. Addie was creative, adventurous, smart, opinionated, and a loyal friend. She loved hats and earrings and wore them well. In her last years she discovered a passion for collage making, which touched the hearts of many people.
She always had a ready ear to listen to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and friends. Addie had a strong faith, and talked to God every day, mostly about her family.
Addie will remain in the hearts of her daughter, Jannae Hanson-Parkes (John Parkes) of El Paso, WI; daughter-in-law, Sharon Hanson; grandchildren: Kevin (Sheila) Hanson of TX, Norma (Dan) Crook of TX, Adam (JoEllen) Parkes of Spring Valley, Aaron (Annessa) Parkes of CA, Georgana (Nick) Tolosky of NY, and Sara (Chris) Smith of NY; great grandchildren: Cameron Crook, Sydney Crook, Mara Parkes, Lianka Parkes, Tobin & Asher Smith, and Marin Tolosky;sons in heart, Jim Fjerkenstad and Brian Jones; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur; sons, Gary and Allen; great grandson, Garren Smith; daughter-in-law, Mary; and siblings: Selma, Norris, Norma, Gale, Orin “Buddy,” and Eileen.
A Gathering of Family and Friends will take place from 12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM Saturday, January 16, 2016 at First Presbyterian Church, 1901 Vine Street, Hudson, with a Memorial Service at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family.