Avis Hanson

SERVICE:

Saturday, January 9, at 1:30 p.m., New Hope Lutheran Church, Sand Creek, Wisconsin

Avis Elaine Hanson passed away on Saturday, December 19, 2015, at Comforts of Home Senior Living under the care of Interim Health Care and Hospice.

Born on October 13, 1935 in Barron County, Wisconsin, she was the daughter of Nora (Runkle) and John Bonkrude of Dallas, Wisconsin.

Avis graduated from Chetek High School in 1953 and married Layton Edwin Hanson on September 19, 1953. Avis and Layton were the parents of six children, Mark (Janette); Paul; Elaine; Susan (Rich) Carlson, William (Mary); and Peter (Sherri). In addition to her children, she was a grandmother to Michael and Blaine (Jeanie) Edington, Crystal, Casey, and Wyatt Hanson as well as a great grandmother to Maurice, Tearien, Izabella, and Angelo. She is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many, many friends. Preceding her in death were her husband, Layton; Two sons, Mark and Paul; Infant daughter, Baby Elaine.

During her life, Avis learned to multi-task very well. She helped with the chores of milking cows for 30 years, worked as the Activity Director for the Barron County Developmental Center for Developmentally Disabled Adults for 3 years, became known as Mrs. Ty-D-Bowl, in her 10 years as the Sanitation Engineer for Jerome Foods and she worked alongside her late husband, Layton, as a bookkeeper during the years he served as Assessor of the Sioux Creek Township. She worked very hard and always took the time to invite relatives and friends for a meal or coffee with treats!

Avis was an active member of the New Hope Comforters and seldom, if ever, missed quilting. After she moved to Comforts of Home Senior Living, her son-in-law, Rich became an "Honorary" member of the Comforters and even bought his own scissors so he is a "cutter". Every other Monday Rich and Avis drove to Sand Creek so that she could quilt and be with her many friends. She will be remembered not only for quilting but also for the many sets of dishtowels she cross stitched for any and all family members or friends who wanted only the best for drying dishescotton flour sack towels. Avis enjoyed learning new things so she became a member of the Hallie Optimist Club.

As a final gift, she donated her body to the Department of Anatomy in Rochester, Minnesota. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, January 9, at 1:30 p.m., New Hope Lutheran Church, Sand Creek, Wisconsin. The family requests that memorials be given to the New Hope Comforters in her memory.

The family of Avis is very grateful and thankful for the innovative, kind, and loving care of the staff at Comforts of Home as well as Katie, an RN and Meghan, a CNA from Interim Health Services. Special thanks to Ann Wikan, a dear friend, who lovingly kept the last night vigil of caring for Avis along with Sue until the very end.

Avis remained cheerful, kind, compassionate, and loving to all of her family and friends throughout her life. The words of the Apostle Paul from 1 Corinthians 13 describe the motto for living that sustained her for 80 years as she walked her earthly journey with us: "And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three, and the greatest of these is love." She was loved deeply and will be missed greatly.