Obituary for Patty Hanson
Patricia Joan "Patty" Hanson died Friday, June 4, 2021 in her home at the age of 88, surrounded by loving family members.
Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 10, 2021 at the Holy Name of Jesus Church in Watertown with Father John Fischer officiating.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., with a scripture service at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at Holy Name of Jesus Church.
Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Watertown, SD.
Pallbearers will be John Hanson, Douglas Hanson, Charles Dye, Tom Morse, Aaron Morse, Teej Morse, Russell Dye, Ryne Dye.
Honorary Pallbearer will be Gordon Burke.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to Holy Name of Jesus Church, 1009 Skyline Dr., Watertown, SD 57201.
Patricia Joan "Patty" Hanson was born to Dr. H. Russell and Ruth (Carroll) Brown on April 10, 1933 in Watertown, SD. She grew up in Watertown and graduated from Watertown High School. On December 29, 1950 she married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, James (Jim) Hanson, with whom she recently celebrated 70 years of marriage. They raised six children: Douglas Hanson of San Diego, CA; Connie (Tom) Morse of Battle Creek, MI; Kathryn (Charles) Dye of Noblesville, IN; Julie Hanson of Round Rock, TX; John Hanson of Lebanon, IN; and Susan (Greg) Albers of Zionsville, IN.
Jim’s job advancements over the years brought them to several states, and they made lifelong friends everywhere they lived. When Jim retired, they chose to return to their roots in Watertown. Patty continued to stay in touch with their many friends, always sending letters and notes and cards via the real mail (no electronic messaging for her!).
Patty loved God, her husband, her family, and her friends, and expressed it with service and nurturing.
Patty was a homemaker with a passion for vacuum cleaners, bleach, and labels for everything. When spring cleaning was done, she’d start all over again. Their home was always immaculate and orderly, even when raising six children.
She played the piano beautifully, and gave piano lessons for 25 years as a member and leader of the Michigan Music Teacher Association. She especially loved playing hymns. We still hear the notes of her playing “Amazing Grace” just a few weeks before she went to be with the Lord.
Patty loved to entertain and socialize. Dinner parties were a specialty. She was a member of P.E.O. Chapter V, holding several offices in the philanthropic organization. She was a lifelong and avid bridge player, organized a neighborhood bunko group, and enjoyed hosting Jim’s poker club gatherings.
In her devotion to the Lord, she served as a Catholic Eucharistic Minister and Lector, taught CCD, and facilitated Bible Study groups for many years. She and Jim tended to the homebound and those in need, delivering Meals on Wheels, bringing baked treats, or just stopping by to brighten someone’s day.
In addition to her husband and children, Patty is survived by 10 beloved grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; her sister, Mary (Jack) Cunningham of Watertown; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Russell Brown and James Brown; sisters Constance (Earl) Kinsman, Carroll (Rich) Guddal, and Virginia (Dr. Gerald) Tracy; and her grandson, Hanson Albers.
Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 10, 2021 at the Holy Name of Jesus Church in Watertown with Father John Fischer officiating.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., with a scripture service at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at Holy Name of Jesus Church.
Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Watertown, SD.
Pallbearers will be John Hanson, Douglas Hanson, Charles Dye, Tom Morse, Aaron Morse, Teej Morse, Russell Dye, Ryne Dye.
Honorary Pallbearer will be Gordon Burke.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to Holy Name of Jesus Church, 1009 Skyline Dr., Watertown, SD 57201.
Patricia Joan "Patty" Hanson was born to Dr. H. Russell and Ruth (Carroll) Brown on April 10, 1933 in Watertown, SD. She grew up in Watertown and graduated from Watertown High School. On December 29, 1950 she married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, James (Jim) Hanson, with whom she recently celebrated 70 years of marriage. They raised six children: Douglas Hanson of San Diego, CA; Connie (Tom) Morse of Battle Creek, MI; Kathryn (Charles) Dye of Noblesville, IN; Julie Hanson of Round Rock, TX; John Hanson of Lebanon, IN; and Susan (Greg) Albers of Zionsville, IN.
Jim’s job advancements over the years brought them to several states, and they made lifelong friends everywhere they lived. When Jim retired, they chose to return to their roots in Watertown. Patty continued to stay in touch with their many friends, always sending letters and notes and cards via the real mail (no electronic messaging for her!).
Patty loved God, her husband, her family, and her friends, and expressed it with service and nurturing.
Patty was a homemaker with a passion for vacuum cleaners, bleach, and labels for everything. When spring cleaning was done, she’d start all over again. Their home was always immaculate and orderly, even when raising six children.
She played the piano beautifully, and gave piano lessons for 25 years as a member and leader of the Michigan Music Teacher Association. She especially loved playing hymns. We still hear the notes of her playing “Amazing Grace” just a few weeks before she went to be with the Lord.
Patty loved to entertain and socialize. Dinner parties were a specialty. She was a member of P.E.O. Chapter V, holding several offices in the philanthropic organization. She was a lifelong and avid bridge player, organized a neighborhood bunko group, and enjoyed hosting Jim’s poker club gatherings.
In her devotion to the Lord, she served as a Catholic Eucharistic Minister and Lector, taught CCD, and facilitated Bible Study groups for many years. She and Jim tended to the homebound and those in need, delivering Meals on Wheels, bringing baked treats, or just stopping by to brighten someone’s day.
In addition to her husband and children, Patty is survived by 10 beloved grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; her sister, Mary (Jack) Cunningham of Watertown; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Russell Brown and James Brown; sisters Constance (Earl) Kinsman, Carroll (Rich) Guddal, and Virginia (Dr. Gerald) Tracy; and her grandson, Hanson Albers.