Violet F. Hanson, 83, died Tuesday, September 21, 2011, at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND.

Funeral services will be held at the Community Bible Church, Grygla, MN, on Monday, September 26, 2011 at 10:00 AM, with Rev. John Barkman officiating.  Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service on Sunday, September 25, 2011 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls.  Visitation will also be one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Monday.

Violet Frances Wavra was born on February 20, 1928 in Euclid, MN, the daughter of Gordon and Frances (Kopecky) Wavra.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith.  Vis family settled on a farm and she attended country school near Strathcona, MN.

Vi and Dewey Hanson were united in marriage on June 14, 1947 in Benwood, MN.  Together they made their home in Huss Township in Roseau County, MN and raised their family of four children:  Dewey, Ronnie, Wayne, and Peggy.  In the early 1950s Vi and Dewey lived in Greenbush, Middle River, and settled in Thief River Falls, MN.

In 1972, Dewey passed away.  Vi continued to live and work in Thief River Falls, until she moved to Grygla, MN to work at the Steak Knife Restaurant.  Vi enjoyed working at the Steak Knife and worked through the years as the business saw a few different owners.  She was still enjoying her work at Yo-Hawns Bar and Grill up until 6 months ago.  People always said that Vi, Came with the restaurant, as she worked very hard since the start of the business and continued her work there.  Vi also worked cleaning the American State Bank in Grygla, and also helped out at the Grain Bin Caf.

Vi was a member of the VFW ladies Auxiliary in Grygla.

Her hobbies and pastimes included listening to music, keeping busy with her work, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include children, Dewey Hanson of Thief River Falls, MN, Wayne (Virginia) Hanson of Wichita, KS, and Peggy Haupt and her special friend, Robert Nelson of Grygla, MN; grandchildren, Christopher (Lydia) Hanson of San Antonio, TX, Ronnie (Cassandra) of Oklahoma City, OK, Michael Hanson of Brenham, TX, and Carmen (Reggie) Sanders of San Antonio, TX, Richard (Alissa) Hanson of San Antonio, TX, Elvis (Katie) Hanson, Daytona, FL, Shane Hanson of Hillsboro, OR, Jessie Hanson, Thief River Falls, MN, Nicholas (Heather) Hanson, Thief River Falls, MN, Kelly Hanson, Thief River Falls, MN, Dirk (Mishelle) Haupt, Phoenix, AZ; several great-grandchildren; brother, Ernest (Jenny) Wavra, Gulf Port, MS; nephew, Clayton Wavra, Houston, TX, and several other family members and friends.

Vi is preceded in death by her husband, her son, Ronnie, and her parents.

ORGANIST:  Kim Cleven
SOLOIST:
SELECTIONS:
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS:
CASKETBEARERS:  Dirk Haupt, Nick Hanson, Jessie Hanson, Robert Nelson, and
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS:  Grygla VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Kim Cleven