Norma Hanson

Norma (NJ) was born in Madison, WI on July 28, 1939, the youngest of seven children of William Fredrick Pfeiffer and Margaret C. Pfeiffer (Ubel). Norma graduated from Madison East High School in June 1957 and then attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison receiving a B.S. Degree in Home Economics (Interior Design) on June 5, 1961. She married her husband, John, on August 26, 1961 after he was commissioned a 2nd Lt., U.S. Army Infantry at Fort Riley, KS. They lived in Madison while John attended U.W. - Law School. Norma helped support them by working at the U.W. extension library service. After John's graduation, they left for Ft. Benning, GA and then Ft. Wainwright, AK near Fairbanks, AK.

The couple returned to Madison in November 1966 and began their civilian, non-student, "real" life until NJ's passing after her second encounter with breast cancer. Norma had returned to work in 1970 as a part-time library assistant with the City of Madison's Lake View Branch. John was starting his own law practice with others and she went back to library work to be sure they could make their G.I. Bill-VA home mortgage loan in those beginning years. Norma loved library work and subsequently returned to the U.W. Madison receiving a Master of Arts degree in Library and Information Studies on May 19, 1991. This school endeavor was interrupted for NJ's first encounter with breast cancer. She persevered, however, and enjoyed a full life and career as a Branch Supervisory Librarian at the Pinney and Hawthorne Branches. Norma had a passion for library services, assisting the public, and making the process user friendly. She is said to have exhibited a gentle sternness, a sense of humor combined with grace and dignity in her supervisory role. Those traits were part of who Norma was and were also on display at home as she raised her husband, John, and kids, John Scott and Stephanie.

Norma was warm, friendly, and devoted to her family and friends over all else. She loved reading and lost no opportunity to keep up with a wide variety of authors and their efforts. NJ loved time spent at the family cottage on Prairie Lake near Cameron, WI, which was an alternative gathering spot for loved ones or a retreat from the "Day to Day." John and Norma met at a freshman mixer dance at the Memorial Union Great Hall three days before classes began in September 1957. They have been together ever since. Together they boated, backpacked and traveled back to Alaska 11 times to fish, hike and return to "old times and places." Norma also loved beaches and sun. She contented herself with a few trips to Florida's gulf coast and many trips Lake Superior, WI. It was a good thing that she found swimming an over-rated part of beach activity.

Norma is survived by her husband of 49 yrs. John D., her son John Scott Hanson (significant other, Nella Adams), her daughter Stephanie L. Konstanz (Robert); her grandchildren, Courtney R. Hanson, Diana Hanson, London Adams, Danielle Konstanz, (step-granddaughter) Nick Konstanz (step-grandson); her siblings include brothers Ralph Pfeiffer, (Theresa, recently deceased) Jack Pfeiffer (Laureen), her sisters Margaret Castillo, (James, deceased) and Esther Vergeront (William F. Martin, companion); as well as many nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews and friends. NJ is further survived by her beloved Samoyed dogs, Lexi and Zander, the last of several back to 1968.

NJ was preceded in death by her grandmother, Clara ("muuder") Ubel, her parents, sisters Margarite Pfeiffer and Ruth Pfeiffer and her in-laws John O. and Sylvia B. Hanson.

The family wishes to thank her primary doctor, Dr. Orest Kostelyna and Dr. Michael Frontiera, the nurses and staff at Dean Hematology and Oncology for the treatment of NJ's disease, but also their attention and many kindnesses extended toward her. Our heartfelt thanks go to the Doctors and staff at the Hospice Care Facility. They were a great comfort to NJ and her family and friends.

A funeral service will be held at Ryan Funeral Home, 2418 N. Sherman Ave. on Friday, March 25, 2011 at 7 P.M. with Pastor Dean Kirst officiating. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 5:30 P.M. until the service. A Private burial will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls, WI.

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls is serving the family locally. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Hospice Care, Inc. 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison WI 53711 or a charity of your choice.

MORE THAN YESTERDAY-LESS THAN TOMORROW.