Ruth Etta Hanson, 97, of Waterford, passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 surrounded by her loving family, at the home where she lived for 78 years.
Ruth was born July 2, 1928, to Frank and Cora (nee Falk} Johnson of the English Settlement area of Burlington. She attended the small English Settlement elementary school before going to the Rochester Ag School and Burlington High School. Excelling in secretarial classes, she was released early from school to work in the office at Nestles where she continued to work after graduation. Ruth married Alton Hanson on August 21, 1948 and moved to the Hanson farm. Together they raised four children. Church, school and farm activities were top priority. Ruth was a member of Norway Lutheran Church, where she was active in Altar Guild and Tuesday quilters.
Ruth is survived by her children, Ellen Gald, Thomas (Joanne) Hanson, Jean (Keith) Belter, and Eileen Johns (Greg Johnson); eight grandchildren, Carrie (Craig) Cusenz, Andrew (Ashley) Gald, Tom Hanson, Holly (Kevin) Baumann, Brad (Crystal) Belter, Luke (Mary) Belter, Hillary Johns and Sam Johns; 13 great grandchildren, Dana, Arianna, Landon, Madelyn, Evelyn, Cloe, Coby, Emma, Isabella, Alton, Levi, James and Adam; niece, Karen (Carl) Engelhardt and nephew, John Stalbaum.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Alton Charles; parents, Frank and Cora Johnson; Father and mother-in-law, Albert and Clara Hanson; Brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Ruth Johnson; Merrill and Lucille Stalbaum; grandson Benjamin Belter and great grandson Nathan Belter.
A heartfelt thank you to the staff at St. Croix hospice for their gentle and compassionate care. We appreciated their kindness and professionalism through this difficult time.
A visitation will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026 at the Norway Lutheran Church, 6321 Heg Park Rd, Wind Lake, from 9 to 10:45 a.m. with a service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at the Norway Lutheran Cemetery where she will be laid to rest beside her husband.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Ruth’s name to the Norway Lutheran Church in Wind Lake or a charity of your choosing.
Mealy-Stencel Funeral Home is proudly serving the Hanson family. For online condolences, please visit www.stencelfh.com.