Carol Jean Hanson passed away Jan. 16, 2021.
Born in Chicago in 1924, she was raised in a Norwegian, Christian family by her parents, Magnus and Henrietta Ronning, in the Logan Square neighborhood. She remained close with her older brother, John, younger brother, Paul, and sister, Mary, throughout their lives; they moved to La Grange and subsequently to the Hinsdale area.
Carol earned her nursing degree at Lutheran Deaconess Hospital in 1945 and began her career at the Army Hospital in Galesburg. She was hired to be the resident nurse at a hotel in Glacier National Park for the summer of 1947, and it was there that she met Minnard “Dusty” Hanson, a fellow Norwegian who was employed in the reservation department of the same hotel. Their love blossomed and they were married in 1948. Carol and Dusty enjoyed 68 years of marriage before Dusty’s death in 2017.
Carol and Dusty moved to La Grange to raise their three daughters. In 1960, the Hansons purchased Schweidler and Mewherter, an office, art and school supply store that became a local landmark for 44 years. Carol was known for her beautiful store windows and abundant creativity. Her Christmas and Easter displays reflected her deep Christian faith. The Hansons were active members of Grace Lutheran Church in La Grange and later longtime members of Christ Church of Oak Brook.
The Hansons moved to Godair Park in 1980 and began a relationship with the King-Bruwaert House that lasted until Carol’s passing. They remained in Godair Park until 2012, when declining health made their move to the Manor House a safe transition. Carol was active in Manor House activities, arranging displays for the dining room and flowers for the common areas. She co-founded Warm Hearts, a group of knitters who donated untold numbers of warm afghans, hats and scarves to nonprofit organizations. She became an avid reader and wrote several short essays recalling her life. Carol was known for her attention to her thank-you notes and remained connected to family and friends in multiple ways. With the restrictions of the pandemic eliminating face-to-face visits, she continued to converse with her family through the magic of FaceTime.
She is survived by three daughters, Beth (Jack) Afflebach, Christine (John) Payne and Paula Hanson; her three granddaughters, Charity Ellis, Britta (David) Marmon and Margit Vogele; and three great-grandchildren, Desmond Wilkinson and Maddox and Bo Marmon.
Services were private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the King-Bruwaert House Nursing Scholarship Fund, 6101 S. County Line Road, Burr Ridge, IL 60527.
