Pearl R. Hanson

Pearl Ruby Gorvin Hanson passed away peacefully May 3, 2016 in Ogallala, Neb., after fighting a courageous battle with cancer. She was 79.

Pearl was born June 30, 1936 in Lesterville, S.D., to Roy and Alta (Sayler) Hermann. She graduated from Scotland (S.D.) High School in 1954 and attended Ancker Hospital School of Nursing in St. Paul, where she graduated in 1957 as a Registered Nurse. She married Bernard “Bernie” Gorvin Sept. 6, 1958 and moved to Minneapolis where they were parents to three children. In 1974, their adventurous side led to a number of business ventures, starting with ownership of the Gambles Store in Kasson, Minn., followed by a move in 1980 to Northfield, Minn., where they owned Biagio’s deli. In 1985, they relocated to Owatonna, Minn., where Bernie worked as a Realtor and Pearl as a nurse for a year before buying Let’s Party!, a balloon and party supply store. While in Owatonna, Pearl also helped found the Steele County Hospice chapter, which is still in operation today.

Bernie died of cancer in 1998, after which Pearl moved in 2000 to Colman, S.D., to be near her daughter, Ginni, and her family. Three years later, Pearl married her long-time friend of 45 years, Dennis “Denny” Hanson and moved to Swift Falls, Minn., where they lived until May 2011 when they moved to Willmar, Minn., because of Denny’s health issues. He died of cancer in December 2011. Two years later, Pearl moved to Ogallala to be near Ginni’s family again.

Pearl had a zest for life and loved meeting new people, which was reflected in her personal and professional life. For many years, she directed the children’s choir for her church and at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis. She entertained people as a clown while masterfully making balloon animals, and through her artistry with puppet theater. She was always active in her church and took on many leadership roles. Pearl also found enjoyment in traveling, camping and fishing, having caught a 30-inch catfish in the last weeks of her life. But it was her children, grandchildren, friends and faith that gave her inspiration and strength on a daily basis.

Pearl is survived by her three children: Greg (Julie) of Savage, MN, Geoff (Kelly) of Baxter, MN, and Ginni (David) Huntimer of Big Springs, NE; siblings Howard (Judy) Hermann of Oklahoma, Helen (Wayne) Myers of Winner, SD, Dick Hermann of St. Onge, SD, Glenda (David) Mensch of Freeman, SD, Barbara (Curt) Ulmer of Menno, SD, and DenAlta (Willie) Patocka of Scotland, SD, step-children Delinda (Bob) Beattie of Eagan, MN, David (Mary Lee) Hanson of Apple Valley, MN,  Deena Hanson of New Orleans, LA, Diane (Philip) Dickey of Mankato, MN, and Dori (Mike) Engen of Prior Lake, MN, 16 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.

There will be two Celebration of Life services, both of which will be preceded by a visitation from 1-2 p.m. The first service is at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 7 at First United Methodist Church, 421 N. Spruce, Ogallala, Neb. That service will be streamed live online at www.methodistchurchogallala.com. The recorded service will be archived online at www.drauckerfuneralhome.com/notices/Pearl-Hanson. The second service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 11 at Calvary Lutheran Church, 302 Olena Ave. SE, Willmar, MN. Interment is 11:35 a.m. on Thursday, May 12 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Memorials are preferred to First United Methodist Church’s Missions Committee to stock the Ogallala food pantry, or to the Willmar Area Food Shelf. 

 Service Information