Muriel Melva Hanson

Muriel Melva Hanson, 89, of Preston, Minn., died Thursday, May 26, 2022, at Gundersen Harmony Care Center in Harmony, Minn., surrounded by her family.

She was born in Whalan, Minn., on December 2, 1932, to Ralph and Myrtle (Olson) Ramsey.  Muriel started school (1st and 2nd grade) in Oronoco, Minn.  She attended 3rd and 4th grade at Northrup School in Rochester, Minn., and 5th and 6th grade in La Crescent, Minn.  In 7th grade, she started school in Preston, Minn., and graduated high school there in 1950.

On May 25, 1952, she married Robert D, Hanson, Sr. at Grace Lutheran Church in Preston, Minn.  Together they raised four children: Bob, Linda, Cindy, and DeAnn.  They were proud to celebrate 45 years of marriage. 

Muriel worked for Preston Public Utilities for 28 years as a secretary.  She was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church, Preston American Legion Auxiliary, as well as the Magdlin-Gilbertson VFW Auxiliary for 60 years.  Muriel was also a proud member of Royal Neighbors and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and the F&M Summit Club.  She served on the Preston School Board for six years and taught Sunday school.  Muriel enjoyed volunteering at the Preston Tourist Center, helping in the Christ Lutheran Church office, and was an election judge.  After her retirement, she was a Semcac driver for 12 ½ years, providing rides for people in need.

Her hobbies included dancing, word search, puzzles, listening to country music, being a “Red Hatter,” cooking, baking, and traveling.  Muriel cherished her time with family and friends, and loved attending all of her kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s events.  Her nickname was “Roadrunner.”  Muriel was an avid traveler, traveling to Norway, Sweden, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Novia Scotia, Ireland, Hawaii, Cancun, Mexico; Alaska, and most of the states in the USA.  She was very proud of her Norwegian heritage; she was a member Sons of Norway – Heimbygda Lodge in Lanesboro, Minn.

She is survived by her son Robert, Jr. (Shari) Hanson of Delavan, Minn., daughters Linda (Scott) Snyder of Harmony, Minn., daughter Cindy Erickson (Jerry Hampel) of Stewartville, Minn., and DeAnn (Jim) Elliott of Stewartville, Minn.  She was blessed with eight grandchildren: Corey Hanson, Andrea (Hanson) Bautista, Caleb Snyder, Ciri (Snyder) Dollens, Brandon Riddle, Jeshila (Erickson) Nolte, Joshua Elliott and Ashlyn Elliott.  She had 12 great-grandchildren: Taylor and Brennan Hanson, Scarlett Bautista, Luca and Kendric Snyder, Payton, Robbie and Gunnar Dollens, Carter Cloutier, Cashton, Bristyn and Crue Nolte and Brody Smith; and special friend/companion Bertram Boyum of Rushford, Minn.

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers Robert “Red” and Victor Ramsey; and sisters Phyllis Conlan and Verna Ramsey. 

Funeral services for Muriel will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at 11 a.m., at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston, Minn., with Pastor Kurt Bockoven officiating.  Visitation will be held on Friday, June 3, 2022, from 5-7 p.m., also at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston, and will continue for one hour on Saturday prior to the start of the service.

Memorials are suggested to the National Ovarian Cancer Center (NOCC), VFW, and Hospice. 

The family would like to thank the Mayo Oncology Team, Dr. Harry Fuentes, Dr. Caleb Smith, the staff at Traditions of Preston, Gundersen Harmony Care Center and the Mayo Hospice Team for their compassionate care of Muriel.

Online condolences may be left at www.hindtfuneralhomes.com.