Helen C. Hanson was born on March 31, 1936, in Ruston, Washington to the late Harry Nicholas and Corinne Elizabeth (Bloomfield) Osborne. She was baptized at an early age and received her education and graduated from Fife High School located on the outskirts of Tacoma, Washington.

On August 30, 1952, Helen was united in marriage to Donald Hanson in Aberdeen, Washington. For many years, they lived in Bonney Lake, Washington until retiring in 1992. In 1994, Helen and Donald moved back to Jeffers, Minnesota to be closer to Donald's two sisters and one brother. Through the years, Helen became an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Jeffers where she was active in circle and quilting. She was also a member of the Jeffers Lions Club where she was currently serving at the club's president, the American Legion Auxiliary Post 401 in Jeffers, Meals on Wheels, the Jeffers Senior Center and giving out of commodities. . She will be remembered most for her love of playing cards, visiting with others, baking, canning and spending time with family, especially her grandchildren.

Recently, Helen had been staying with her daughter in Granite Falls, Minnesota where she was recovering from ankle surgery. She became suddenly ill on Wednesday, February 20, 2013, and was taken to the Granite Falls Hospital where she passed away at the age of 76 years.

Helen is survived by five children, Wanda Herbstritt and her husband, Dan, of Fife, Washington; Nadine Olson and her husband, Bob, of Roy, Washington; Marty Hanson and Marianne Mulvany of Jeffers, Minnesota; Jerry Hanson of Vancouver, Washington; Doreen Velde and her husband, Warren of Granite Falls, Minnesota; 17 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents, Harry Osborne and Corinne and Barny Johnson; husband, Donald; one son, Wayne Hanson; two granddaughters, Michaela Busenbark and Ashlee Beesley; four brothers, William, Robert, George and Harry Osborne; and one sister, Myrtle Kelly.

Blessed be the memory of Helen C. Hanson.
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