Elaine Hanson

Elaine Hanson, age 94, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Fairway View Neighborhoods.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at New Life Community Baptist Church in Ortonville, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Pastor Phillip Ostlund will officiate, and interment will be at Artichoke Lake Seventh-Day Adventist Cemetery. 

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Elaine Elizabeth Hanson was born on December 7, 1930, to Harry August Hanson and Elizabeth Neltja (Kraayenbrink) Hanson in Mission Hill, SD. Both of her parents had been married before. Her father had 12 children by his first wife, Anna: six boys and six girls. Her mother had six children with her first husband, George L. Martin. After the death of their spouses, Harry and Elizabeth were married in 1924. Together, they had three girls: Ruth, Naomi and Elaine.

When Elaine was two months old, her family moved to Norris, SD, where she lived in a humble log house. She attended a nearby country school through eighth grade. Because no further education was available in Norris, she completed her freshman year in Kadoka, SD, and her sophomore year in Valentine, NE. The summer before her junior year, Elaine moved to Ortonville, MN, to live with her half-sister, Edna, and brother-in-law, Cliff Kraayenbrink. She graduated from Ortonville High School in 1948.

After graduation, Elaine traveled to Gordon, NE, where her sister lived. She took a job as a receptionist at a local clinic. It was in Gordon where she met and fell in love with Dwight Beutler. They were married on December 4, 1950, in Hay Springs, NE. Two years later, they were blessed with their first child, a son, Daniel. Becoming a mother marked a turning point in Elaine’s spiritual journey. At the age of 24, she knelt by her bedside asking Jesus to forgive her sins and guide her life. This renewed commitment to her faith became her anchor. 

Elaine and Dwight’s family grew with the addition of three beautiful daughters: Laurie, Patty, and Sandy. In 1967, Elaine faced the heartbreaking loss of Dwight. As a single mother of four young children, she returned to Ortonville to be near her sisters. She worked as a bookkeeper for Pat Daly at PD Products. While attending a bible study in Ortonville, she met Wendell Hanson and they were married in 1971. Elaine and Wendell shared over five decades filled with love, faith, and commitment until September 19, 2024, when Wendell went home to be with his Lord.

In 1977, Elaine went back to school in Watertown, SD, for cosmetology with her best friend, Linda Richardson. She worked alongside her daughter, Patty, at the Styling Hut in Ortonville, MN.

Elaine’s life was marked by resilience, deep faith, and unwavering love. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, now known as New Life Community Baptist Church in Ortonville since 1968. Her interests included bible study, quilting, hand embroidery, crocheting, volunteering at the Northridge Nursing Home as a hair stylist in Ortonville, and of course, spending time with her family. She was immensely proud of her children and their decision to follow Christ. Her generous heart, steadfast faith, and devotion to her children will be deeply missed. Her life was a testament to the enduring power of faith, love, and joy. She was a true role model for her children and grandchildren who will miss her daily prayers on their behalf.

Elaine is survived by her children: Daniel (Karla) Beutler of Washburn, ND; Laurel (Brian) Longhenry of Sartell, MN; Patricia (Roger) Haukos of Correll, MN; and Sandra (Greg) Scheff of Waconia, MN; as well as 12 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; a sister, Naomi Sandlin of Sioux Falls, SD; and a host of extended family and friends who will carry on her legacy of love and faith.