Services for Norma L. Hanson

Norma L. Hanson, 90, of Goodridge, MN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at Pioneer Memorial Care Center, Erskine, MN.

The Funeral Service to celebrate Norma’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at Faith Lutheran Church in Goodridge, MN with Rev. Kristin Ostercamp officiating. Visitation will take place from noon until 2:00 PM on Tuesday at Faith Lutheran Church. Burial will be at Rindal Cemetery, New Solum Township, Marshall County, MN. Military honors will be provided by the Ecklund-Holmstrom American Legion Post 117 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2793.

Norma Lee Kruckow was born on February 3, 1930 in Backus, MN the oldest of eight children born to Fred “Ted” and Lena (Sawyer) Kruckow. She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith. She attended school in Backus graduating with the class of 1948. Norma took numerous college courses, seminars, attended Minneapolis School of Business and taught classes at Northland Community College in Thief River Falls including “Women in Business”. While in Minneapolis she found work with IDS and entered into service as a U.S. Navy Reservist. Norma was proud of the fact that she and all of her siblings served in the U.S. military.

On May 2, 1953, Norma was united in marriage to Lynn Hanson at First English Lutheran Church in Pine River, MN. The couple made their home in Minneapolis for two years before returning to purchase their farm in Moylan Township, Goodridge, MN. To this union a son, Michael was born. Together they began a dairy and grain farming career that lasted for over 60 years. Norma was pleased to see the farm operation and the Ayrshire dairy herd continued by her son and grandsons.

Along with working off farm at the Thief River Falls Times, Kiewel Bottling and as a lobbyist in St. Paul for the MN Farmers Union she was a key partner in the formation of a number of Goodridge area organizations. They included the Good-Hope 4-H Club, Bit & Bridle Saddle Club, Goodridge Square Dance Club, Goodridge Historical Society, Goodridge Trailblazers Snowmobile Club, Deer Park Garden Club, local Chapter of the American Agri-Women, and the Women’s Business and Professional Club in Thief River Falls. Norma’s passion for politics also led her to serve on the Goodridge School Board, leadership in local and statewide MN Farmers Union and DLF activities, and a run for the MN House of Representatives in 1968. She was also a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in 1972.

She was affiliated with and/or served on the boards or as an officer of many organizations. These included the Midwest Dairy Association, Goodridge Area Historical Society, Minnesota Agri Women, American Agri Women, 13th District Horticulture Society, Northwest Women’s Fund, Coya Knutson Memorial Scholarship Fund, Marshall County Land-Use Planning Committee, Marshall County Water Quality Task Force Committee, Senate District I DFL, Marshall County DFL, 7th Congressional District DFL, Northwest Dairy Association, Minnesota Ag in the Classroom, Goodridge School Board, Pennington County Fair Association and Marshall County Farmers Union. 

Norma earned awards for work with Minnesota Horticulture Society-Award of Merit and Distinguished Service, American Agri-Women Leaven Award, Goodridge Community Builder Award, Minnesota Rural Futures, Inc.-Futures Award, 1999 Farm and Ranch Guide Country Woman of the Year,  was inducted into Northwest Minnesota Women’s Hall of Fame and is listed in Who’s Who of American Women.

In her spare time, Norma enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, working and riding horses, caring for her flock of chickens, bird watching and turning all the cows into babies. She made wonderful apple pies according to her grandsons and always had another project in the works including writing plays, short stories and histories, many about the community.

She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Goodridge where she taught Sunday School and was active with the Ladies Aid.

Norma was an incredible woman ahead of her time that set the bar high for herself and others.

Survivors include her loving husband, Lynn; son, Michael (Linda) Hanson of Goodridge; grandchildren, David (Ashley), Matthew (Malena Rupprecht), Steven (Leah Schulz), Sara (Brad) Lunke; great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Izeck, Ty and Tucker Lunke; sister, Laura Norried; brother, Rolland Kruckow; sister-in-law, Sheila Kruckow; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; siblings, infant brother Norman, Norbert (Kathy), Jeanette (Buzz), Loretta and Christian; and brother-in-law, Bob Norried.

 

Richards Publishing

P.O. Box 159
239 2nd Ave
Gonvick, MN 56644
Telephone: (218) 487-5225
email: richards@gvtel.com

 

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