Hanson, Shirley M. (Mrs. Arthur Erik) 1930-2018

HANSON, KOOL, ROELFSON

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

Mrs. Shirley Hanson, age 88, of Orange City, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 23, 2018, at the Sanford Senior Care in Sheldon.

Interment will be on Tuesday, June 26, at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. A private family prayer vigil will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

Shirley Mae was born on January 21, 1930, at the Orange City Hospital, the daughter of Evert J. and Anna (Kool) Roelfson. She was a twin sister to Evelyn, and they were the younger sisters to Irene and Joan.

She was raised on a farm just south of Alton, in a loving devoted Christian family, who honored God and his teachings. As young women, Shirley and Evelyn worked at the Alton Hatchery. Using their earnings at the hatchery, they bought their first car together, each paying for half.

During these working years, Shirley met and fell in love with the egg inspector who made routine stops at the hatchery; his name was Arthur Erick Hanson. They were married on June 1, 1966, at the Alton Reformed Church parsonage by the Rev. Clarence Greving.

They first made their home in Laurens, where Shirley became a homemaker. Later they purchased a motel in West Union, operating it for about two years. They then sold that and bought the Sunset Motel in Sheldon. A few years later, they sold that and moved to Orange City, where they made their home for most of their remaining years.

Arthur grew Shirley’s family with his three children from a former marriage: Erick, Kathy and Patti.

She was a longtime member of the First Reformed Church in Orange City.

Shirley enjoyed having friends and family in her home to play table games, cards, Scrabble, dice, etc. She was a keen, sharp opponent, never giving a game to grandson Jimmy; he had to earn his win. The children and grandchildren also remember her for her delicious hamburger hot dish, pistachio salad, red Jello salad, cranberry salad, and rhubarb crunch when they’d come to visit. Jimmy and his family enjoyed many years of visiting during the Tulip Festival. She would pop popcorn for all to enjoy, while sitting curbside at their home watching the parade.

Art was a caregiver to Shirley after she developed Alzheimer’s Disease. As time passed, he became ill himself, and both were admitted to Sanford Senior Care in Sheldon on August 29, 2014.

While at Senior Care, Art and Shirley celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary on June 1, 2016. Arthur passed away on October 23, 2016.

Survivors include her twin sister, Evelyn Oldenkamp, of Orange City; two stepdaughters, Kathy (Johnny) Nelson, of Thompson, and Patti Hanson, of Forest City; four step-grandchildren, James (Andrea) Remington, of Atkins, Randall (Sarah) Sougstad, of Mason City, William Sougstad of Thompson, and Emma Sougstad; and three great-granchildren, Ally and Owen Remington and Evelyn Sougstad.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Irene (Harold) Bunz and Joan (Bill) Vande Brake; a brother-in-law, Bill Oldenkamp; a stepson, A. Erick Hanson; and a step son-in-law, Gregory Remington.

Kathy wishes to sincerely thank the wonderful, compassionate staff at Sanford Senior Care for their kindness and care given to Shirley and Art in the last few years of their lives. Also a warm thank you to the hospice staff who visited Shirley, giving her great comfort, in her last three weeks before God sent His angels to come get her. To borrow the words from artist Vince Gill, “go rest high on that mountain (Shirley), your work here on earth is through”.

Memorials may be given to the First Reformed Church, 420 Central Avenue Northwest, Orange City, Iowa 51041.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.