Betty Hanson, age 87, of Decorah, IA, passed away on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at WinnMed in Decorah.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the Glenwood Lutheran Church, 1197 Old Stage Road with Rev. Bryan Robertson presiding. Burial will be in the Pontoppidan cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water St., in Decorah. There will be no visitation before the service on Saturday morning at the church.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may go to the family in memory of Betty.

Betty Hanson was born on August 7, 1938, the daughter of Arnold and Esther (Kraby) Thompson at Smith Memorial Hospital in Winneshiek County, IA.

Betty was baptized at Decorah Lutheran Church. The family moved to Milwaukee, WI, for a short period of time and then moved to Decorah in 1949. After some years, they moved to Marion, IA, where Betty graduated from Marion High School in 1956.

Betty's father, Arnold, was working in Marion and had introduced Jim Hanson to Betty. She married Jim on June 16, 1956, at the Decorah Lutheran Church. Shortly after, they moved back to Decorah to begin farming. Together, they had three children: Dave, Doug, and Darryl.

Betty and Jim were able to purchase their own farm in 1969 in Glenwood Township. Betty was a homemaker and worked on the farm. As the boys were growing, Betty took a temporary job to work at Camcar. She then worked retail for Marilyn's Hallmark, where she loved to see the new décor and cards come in. Betty was always prompt on sending out cards in the mail for all occasions and she had the timing down to a tee as to when you would receive that card. She took a few years off before deciding she wanted to continue working. Betty then took a job at Vesterheim Norwegian Museum, working in the retail store and then as a receptionist. She retired in October of 2024.

Betty led an active life for many years, serving in various positions at Glenwood Lutheran Church in Ladies Aide, Circle, Sunday School and church secretary. Betty was faithful in reading her daily devotions and the Bible. Betty also served on the Depot Outlet Board for several years.

In 1981, they built their first log home for themselves and in 1991, she designed their dream log home that Jim and the boys, along with Jim’s crew, built.

Betty loved to go on fishing trips to lakes in Minnesota and Wisconsin with Jim, family and friends, especially lifelong friends, Kenny and Jan Ottesen. She loved to go out on the lake, catch fish and listen to the loons.

Betty and Jim moved to town in 2014. Betty was always a gracious host and always had a pot of coffee or a glass of wine along with bars, donuts or cookies for her guests. The daughters-in-law and granddaughters convinced Betty to hold a “Baking with Betty Day” to teach them how to bake her delicious donuts, crescent rolls, breads, and cookies. This became an annual event, and many memories were made in her kitchen.

When there were special occasions and the family went out to eat, Betty preferred The Fort or the Rossville Store. She always said they knew how to make a good Wisconsin Old Fashion.

Betty is survived by her three sons: Dave (Carol) Hanson; Doug (Laurie) Hanson; Darryl Hanson, all from Decorah, IA.

Grandchildren: Mandy (Greg) Mueller, Decorah, IA; Mitch (Erica) Hanson, Decorah, IA. Chad (Shelly) Hanson, Urbandale, IA. Jessica (Bill) Gass, Melcher-Dallas, IA; Jon (Liz) Hanson, Jacksonville FL; Sara (Keith) Faulkner, Dubuque, IA; Tabby (Suzie) Spalj, Iowa City, IA; Breanna (Jacob) Bruening, Decorah, IA , Megan ( Michelle Deppe) Hanson, Dubuque, IA; Cody (friend Jared Medina) Hanson, Wichita, KS; Teesha (Scott) Helms, Decorah, IA. Jarred Bappe, Decorah, IA.

Great-grandchildren: Dominic, Danika, Austin, Mason, Elle, Nori, Landon, Bailey, Logan, Colt, Devon, Gabriel, Mikael, Sammuel, Nathaniel, Caden, Caylee, Jaelyn, and Landry. Great-Great grandchild: Veyda. Niece and Nephew: Diane (Wayne) Roberts, Hardy, AR; Linda Hanson, Decorah, IA. Special friends: Ken Otteson, Decorah, IA.; and Tina Bappe, Decorah, IA.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Jim. Parents: Arnold (Esther) Thompson. Daughter-in-law: Karla Hanson. Father and Mother-in-law: Emil and Melia (Thompson) Hanson. Sister-in-law: Helen (Kenneth) Hanson, Nephew: Wayne Hanson