Bernadette "Sally" Hanson
Bernadette “Sally” Hanson, age 90, passed away on Sunday, December 29, 2024 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. The funeral service will begin at 10:30 am on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at Grace Baptist Church 25852 475th Ave., Sioux Falls, SD. The family will be present to greet friends for visitation from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, January 3, 2025 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls.
Sally, was born near Doland, SD to Harry and Leontine (Smith) Brown. She grew up on a farm near Doland, SD, graduating from Doland High School in 1952. She went to ten weeks of summer school to receive her teaching certificate, and taught in a country school the next two years. She married Bob Hanson, an Air Force mechanic, in 1954 and began her military journey, moving numerous times, for the next 18 years. She lived in Spokane WA, Duluth MN, Redfield SD, Big Spring TX while Bob was in the Air Force. Bob jumped to the Army in 1964 as a helicopter pilot, and they moved to Ozark AL, Killeen TX, Belleville IL, Newport News VA and Stuttgart Germany. After Bob retired, they moved to Jamestown ND, Pierre SD and finally Sioux Falls SD, before moving to Colton Retirement Living in Colton SD a year and a half ago.
In the early 1960s, a military friend of Bob and Sally’s introduced them to salvation through Jesus Christ, by His grace, and not of works or anything they could do to be saved to obtain Heaven. They began to attend Bible Studies, became active in the churches they attended, taught Sunday School classes, fought for the unborn, worked extensively with Child Evangelism Fellowship, and hosted Good News Clubs in their home for the neighborhood kids. Her desire was to teach children and share with others that they could be saved and go to Heaven by believing in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. She taught Good News Clubs in her home and the homes of other for over 40 years.
Sally spent her entire married life being a homemaker and, during their years at home, a stay-at-home mom to daughter Vicki (1955) and son Doug (1958). She loved Jesus, her husband Bob, her kids, her grandbabies, and great grandbabies. She lived and loved so well. She and Bob celebrated their 70th Anniversary in June of 2024.
Grateful for having shared her life are her husband of 70 years, Bob Hanson; daughter, Vicki (John) Daley of Jacksonville, FL; son, Doug (Louise) Hanson of Colton, SD; grandchildren, David (Tania) Mullins, Rachel (Daniel) Haugaard, Hannah (Sean) Mustian, Daniel (Julie Brennan) Hanson, Jonathan Hanson, Abigail (Levi) Erickson, Joshua (Jessica) Hanson, Liberty Hanson, and Elianna Hanson; great grandchildren, Kaleigh, Natalie, Jason, and Caden Haugaard, Kahlil Hollins, Kaylyn and Keira Mullins, Jael, Alathia and Eden Mustian, Maggie Hanson, Kaitlyn and Caleb Erickson and Olivia and Tiffany Hanson; brother, Dale Brown; sister, Noni (Delbert) Frericks; sisters-in-law, Ruth Brown of Bartlesville, OK and Nancy Brown of Youngstown, OH; and many dear relatives and friends.
Sally was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Leontine (Smith) Brown; sister, Lavonne Crook; and brothers, Russell Brown and Delvin Brown (2 days prior).