Carolyn Rae Hanson, age 80, passed away surrounded by her family on December 4, 2017, at the Western Wisconsin Health Center in Baldwin, WI. Carolyn was born on November 30, 1937, in Baldwin, WI, the daughter of Carroll and Myrtle (Thompson) Gaustad. She attended school in Baldwin, and graduated with the Baldwin High School Class of 1955. On June 30, 1956, Carolyn was united in marriage to Stanley Hanson at the North Rush River Church, now Peace Lutheran Church, Baldwin, WI. This union would become more than blessed with five children: Shelley, Christine, Scott, Cynthia, and Carol.

Carolyn loved to spend time with Stanley and their family; she was a devoted wife, a proud mother, and a loving grandma. She became an exceptional cook and always enjoyed preparing meals for her family gatherings around the holidays. Carolyn also found comfort and happiness whenever she traveled; she visited nearly all of the 50 United States on her favorite motorcycle with Stanley, as well as a voyage to Europe. She also made the occasional journey North into Canada, including the island of Nova Scotia.

Carolyn will remain in the heart of her husband, Stanley; children, Shelley (Kent) Wynveen, Christine (Eric Barg) Hanson, Scott (Kate) Hanson, Cynthia (Jerry) Hunt, and Carol (Andy) Jensen; grandchildren, Trevor (Tanya Kober) Wynveen, Angela Wynveen, Joseph Hunt, Jennifer (Brandon) Garbrick, Aubreona (Luke) Vannet; seven great-grandchildren, Teagen, Isabella, Gabriella, Arianna, Piper, Scarlett, and Avaya; siblings, Marlys DeSmith, Charlene Snyder, Diane Jeske, Janice Kniphel, and Tom (Sandy) Gaustad; in-laws, Barry Moran, Florence Larson and Toots Holle, as well as numerous extended family and countless close friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; twin sister, Madolyn Vier; sisters, Rosalie Moran and Phyllis Raehsler and brother, Pete Gaustad; siblings-in-law, Rodney DeSmith, Dave Snyder, Helen (George) Barringer, Margaret (Wilbur) Landaal, Herman & Raymond Hanson, Ed (Phyllis) Hanson, Ed Larson, Bernie Jeske, George “Bud” Knipfel, and Laurence Vier.

Memorial Service for Carolyn will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, December 9, at Peace Lutheran Church in Baldwin. A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held from 4-7 PM on Friday, December 8, at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Baldwin, WI, as well as one hour prior to the service on Saturday.