Sylvia (Snortum) Hanson

Sylvia Hanson died Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Johnson Memorial Health Services in Dawson at the age of 91, 10 months, and 1 day.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson.  Rev. Kendall Stelter will officiate and interment will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be 1 hour before the service on Saturday, June 22, 2024.

Sylvia Gayle (Snortum) Hanson was born August 12, 1932 in Canby, MN, the daughter of Randolph and Gladyce (Poulson) Snortum.  She graduated from Canby High School in 1950 as salutatorian and was also a very talented pianist.  She attended two years of college at Concordia, until her dad offered her the job to manage his Dawson location of Snortum’s Flowers.  So she moved to Dawson and soon after met her future husband. Sylvia was united in marriage to Harold Hanson on November 30, 1952 at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Canby.  They were blessed with 5 children: Paul, Ronald, Patricia, Richard and Gary.  They made their home on the farm where Harold grew up.  Sylvia stayed very busy raising their children and preparing extra lunches and meals during the busy seasons of farming.  She was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church and ladies Circle.  As the family grew, she made it a priority to attend as many events of her grandchildren as she could.  Family was what was most important to Sylvia.  She loved cats her whole life and went to extra measures to keep them happy and especially enjoyed her most recent cat, Bobble. She loved baking and was known for her pies.  She always had treats to share with anyone who stopped by and family often left her house carrying a loaf of her delicious banana bread.  She loved coffee and influenced several new generations of coffee drinkers in the family.  In their retired years, camping in their trailer became a favorite activity.  After Harold died in 2007, Sylvia continued to live on the farm until her last day. She took her last breath where she most wanted to be, in her own home.

She is survived by her children: Paul (Carolina) Hanson of Santo Domingo, Costa Rica, Ronald Hanson of rural Sacred Heart, Patricia Aslesen of rural Boyd, Richard Hanson of Madison, and Gary Hanson of rural Dawson; Five grandchildren: Drew Aslesen, Devin (Robyn) Aslesen, Danae (Luke) Nelson, Darci (Jonathan) Stranlund and Lorraine Hanson; six great-grandchildren: Rowan, Asaiah, Everett and Thea Nelson, and Lincoln and Alexandra Aslesen; a sister-in-law, Bonnie Snortum; special cousin, Jane Ellison; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Harold; a grandson, Vincent; and three brothers: Wendell (Marion) Snortum, Darold (Olga) Snortum, and John Snortum.