Darlene Lorraine Hanson

Darlene Hanson, 91, of Evansville, formerly of Hoffman, passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at the Evansville Care Center in Evansville, Minnesota.

Darlene Lorraine Hanson, a dedicated nurse, beloved wife and mother, and lifelong learner, passed away peacefully at the Evansville Care Center on January 4, 2025. Her remarkable 91-year journey began on a farm near Belvidere, Nebraska, where she was born to Louie and Elizabeth Cording.

Darlene's passion for nursing shaped her life's work. After graduating from St. Francis School of Nursing in 1954, she pursued advanced education at Duchesne College of the Sacred Heart, Omaha and Valparaiso University, Indiana including studies at the University of Oslo, Norway. Her distinguished career encompassed teaching, administration, and advocacy. As Executive Director of the Nebraska Nurses Association for twelve years, she championed crucial reforms in nursing practice and education. Her international influence extended to leading a nursing delegation across Europe and the Soviet Union in 1976. While living in MN she held a faculty position at Northwest Community College, Wadena, MN. She also volunteered at the Hoffman Care Center, Hoffman doing sensory stimulation utilized for its calming effects. 

In 1982, Darlene married Harland Hanson, embracing seven adult children into her heart. Their family grew to include seventeen grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren, each receiving her handcrafted yearly Christmas ornaments—a testament to her thoughtful nature and creative spirit.

A woman of diverse interests, Darlene traveled to 27 countries, immersed herself in genealogy, an avid reader and found joy in quilting and breadmaking publishing her own cookbook in 2020 for family and friends. She loved hosting many gatherings in her home with great food using beautiful table settings with plenty of interesting conversations. Her faith manifested through active service at Calvary Covenant Church of Evansville, where she taught Sunday School and participated in various ministries.

Darlene is survived by her seven children: Stephen of Fairfield, CA, Joel (Natalie Brown) of Bloomington, MN, Marcia (Don Lidtke) of Saratoga Springs, UT, Michael (Valerie Torgrimson) of Evansville, John (Carrie Brown) of Evansville, Samuel (Karen Iszler) of Bismarck, ND, and Rebecca of Minneapolis, MN; her sisters Louise Storey of Las Cruses, NM and Janet (Dean) Thede of St. Paul, NE and seventeen grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; and twelve nieces and nephews. She joins those preceding her in death; her beloved husband Harland on Dec 31, 2021, her parents Louie and Elizabeth Cording, sister Evelyn in 2021, in laws, Oliver and Ethel Hanson; brother-in-law, Orlano in 2005; sister-in-law, Olive in 2021 and grand-daughter-in-law Maryn Shuck Hanson in 2013 and other family members in eternal rest.

Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched as a nurse, educator, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. Darlene's commitment to her Christian faith, service to others, lifelong learning, and family will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Funeral Service: 11 AM, Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Calvary Covenant Church in Evansville with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church.

Interment: Mound Grove Cemetery, Evansville, Minnesota

Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Evansville is in charge of the service.