Esther E. Evelyn Hanson

Esther E. Hanson, age 87, of North Mankato, formerly of Frost, died Wednesday, January 11, 2012, at Oak Terrace in North Mankato. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2012, at 11:00 AM , at Bethany Lutheran Church in rural Frost, 48332 40th street, with Rev. Arne Halbakken officiating. Burial will be in Bethany Lutheran Cemetery rural Frost. Visitation time will be one hour prior to services at the church. Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Blue Earth is assisting the family with the arrangements. Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.com. Memorial donations are preferred to the BEA Educational Assistance Scholarship Fund or the Mankato Hospice.Esther Evelyn Hanson was born May 6, 1924, at Rome Township, MN, the daughter of Marvin and Otillie(Hundt) Nimz. Growing up in the Frost area, she was baptized and confirmed at St. John''s Lutheran Church in rural Elmore and graduated from Frost High School in 1942. She worked as a bookkeeper at the Frost Bank before her marriage to Carlyle H. Hanson on August 1, 1943. The couple farmed and raised their five children near Frost. In 1960, Esther took part in the Mrs. Minnesota contest finishing as runner-up. In her 40''s she returned to college at Mankato State. She was a great cook and baker, and a caretaker for anyone needing assistance. Esther and Carlyle helped foster three children through the years. She loved to sing, performing solo and singing in the Bethany Church Choir. An avid reader, a book would be in her hand at any opportunity. Hosting family get-togethers and impromptu gatherings was her delight. Esther is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Hill of North Mankato, her daughter, Mary (Ron) Hogstad of Frost, her son, Richard (Carol) Hanson of West Concord, her son, Robert (Vickie) Hanson of Frost, her daughter, Marsha (Scott) Madigan of North Mankato, fourteen grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, her sisters, Gladys Hanson of Lyle, Eleanora (John) Glory of Tucson, AZ, and Norma Patsche of Welcome, and sister-in-law, Julienne Tesarek, of Coffee Creek, MT. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband in 2010, an infant sister, Marilyn, brothers-in-law: Carleton Hanson, James Patsche, Merle Shirk, Charles Tesarek and sister-in-law, Geneva Shirk.