Eileen Hanson

Eileen Winnifred (Kelly) Hanson, age 101, was born to Harry E. and Mathilda (Fischer) Kelly, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, on March 17, 1921, and went home to Jesus in her sleep on October 15, 2022, at Valley Senior Living on 42nd.  She married Harold Hanson on November 3, 1942.  Eileen loved to tell the story of her Dad being responsible for the creation of Kelly’s slough in an attempt to bring rain to the area.  She was very proud of her family and loved to look at pictures of family members.  She did many kinds of handwork over the years, including knitting, crocheting, crewel, punchwork, cross stitch, and especially embroidery.  Dancing was a very important part of her life from childhood until Harold passed away.  She and Harold traveled all over the United States and Canada, including Alaska and Hawaii.  She loved to play Scrabble, even two weeks before her death, read hundreds of books, and worked crossword puzzles until recently.  She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at Honeyford from 1942 up to her death, and active in the Ladies Aide there until her and Harold moved to Grand Forks.  She was also a member of the Sons of Norway, Senior Citizen’s Center (loved dancing and participating in Activities group there), and an employee in the Activities Room at Valley on Almonte for approximately 20 years.  She was always eager to share what she made, loved to have company, and always provided visitors with a lunch.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, two brothers, five sisters-in-law, five brothers-in-law, and her husband.  She is survived by three daughters, Shirley (Larry) Griffin, Betty (Wayne) Larson, Ellen (Mitch) Forstie; 8 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Funeral Services: 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 21, 2022 in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Honeyford, North Dakota.  

Visitation:  5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2022 in Amundson Funeral Home, Grand Forks and one hour prior to the service in the church.

Interment:  St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery. 

Memorials are preferred to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Honeyford, ND.