Mentor - Edith Hanson, 79, formerly of Grygla, died Tuesday, January 26, 1999 at First Care Medical Services in Fosston.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 30 at Faith Lutheran Church in Mentor with Reverend Milo Mathison officiating. Marilyn Arness was the organist.
Casketbearers were Pete Benoy, Wayne Gorder, Michael Hanson, Donald Simonson, Chris Thorson and Orville Thorson. Honorary casketbearers were all of Edith's nieces, nephews and friends and Vern and Jan Hanson, Bruce and Jennifer Hageman, Chad and Tina Braun, Don and Sharon Ramberg, John Pierce, Richard Hanson, Ron Sebenaler and Kenneth Lee. Burial was in Valle Cemetery in Beltrami county. The Green Funeral Home of Thief River Falls was in charge of the arrangements.
Edith Elisa Thorson was born on April 11, 1919 in Benville township of Beltrami county, the daughter of Hans and Cecelia (Erickson) Thorson. She was baptized and confirmed at Valle Lutheran Church. She attended the rural Sandsmark school, graduating on July 14, 1933.
Edith lived at home and helped her family on the farm until her marriage to George W. Hanson on February 22, 1940 at Grygla. The couple farmed in rural Grygla, and Edith also worked at the Hartz store in Grygla.
In 1966 Edith and George moved to Mentor where they owned and operated the Philip's 66 station and cafe. They later combined the Buhn's store and Hartz store and operated it until they retired. George died on November 28, 1991.
Edith was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla and supporting member of Faith Lutheran Church of Mentor. She enjoyed reading and corresponding with friends. Hobbies included her cats and dogs, flowers and gardening, playing whist and Scrabble with friends and family, and music. She also wrote the local news for the Mentor Advertiser.
Edith is survived by one son, George T. Hanson Jr. of Duluth; one sister, Inga "Ida" Johnson of Abercrombie, ND; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and four brothers, Orville, Robert, Wilfred and George.