PHYLISS M. HANSON
A Private Family Mass of Christian Burial for Phyllis M. Hanson will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. John’s Catholic Church in Smithfield, Nebraska with Father Thomas Lux as Celebrant. Interment will follow at the Robb Cemetery at rural Gosper County, Nebraska. Phyllis’ mass will be live-streamed on the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home Facebook page: ( HYPERLINK “https://www.facebook.com/NelsonBauer-Funeral-Homes-m6o1113801622” https://www.facebook.com/Nelson-Bauer-FuneralHomes-111601113801622
Due to health concerns, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic; current CDC and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for FaithBased Services and Gatherings will be followed. The Hanson family sincerely encourage each person to make their decision whether to attend Phyllis’ visitation and rosary, based on the best interest of your health, and that of your community.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 8, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege. Face coverings will be required to enter.
Rosary will be recited on Friday, January 8, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Phyllis May Hanson, 94 years of age, of rural Smithfield, Nebraska, passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2021, at her home of 72 years, surrounded by her family. Phyllis and her twin sister, Doris, were born on December 6, 1926 to Oscar William and Clare (Tombrink) Olson at their home in Minden, Nebraska. Phyllis received her primary education from Progress School District West #12 near Overton and then attended and graduated from Overton High School with the class of 1944. She pursued higher education from Nebraska State Teacher College for two years, until she was diagnosed with Polio.
As a child, she played at the banks of the Platte River with her sisters, Eleanor and Doris. When she was a teenager, she and Doris, volunteered at the North Platte Canteen, a railroad stop for soldiers during WW II. Phyllis met her future husband, Donald while working as a telephone operator in Lexington, Nebraska.
On October 14, 1948, Phyllis was united in marriage to Donald Eugene Hanson at the All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege, Nebraska. God blessed this union with seven children: Karren, Lois, Sharlyn Mary Lee, Christine, Gordon, and Charles. The family made their home on a farm north of Smithfield. Phyllis began working for District #4 Country School in Gosper County, as the school cook in 1972 and later retired after 20 years of service.
Phyllis was a member of the St. John’s Catholic Church and the St. John’s Altar Society; the VFW Auxiliary; the American Legion Auxiliary; a member of the Merry Mixer Extension Club; and served as a 4-H Leader for the Merry Mixerettes. She enjoyed coffee on Thursday’s in Smithfield; loved Husker and Kansas City Chiefs Football; was a dedicated blood donor; and was an accomplished seamstress, sewing wedding dresses for Sharlyn and Mary Lee.
Phyllis still enjoyed long drives in the country; and especially enjoyed her cross-word puzzles. Her family knew not to call when Judge Judy, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, were on. Phyllis will be remembered for her favorite dish, potato salad, which she made well into her 9os.
Phyllis was preceded in death by; her parents; one brother in infancy, Clarence; a daughter, Lois Hanson; her husband of 65 years, Donald E. Hanson, in 2014; her sister, Eleanor Butts, and her two husbands: Ray, and Bill; brothers-in-law: Lawrence Hanson and his wife, Ruth; Robert Hanson and his wife, Mary; and Doris’ husbands: Cal, and Keith; and a son-in-law, Jerry Whitney.
Phyllis is survived by: her six children: Karren Whitney of Hastings, Nebraska; Sharlyn Bogner and her husband, John Noyes of Kearney, Nebraska; Mary Lee Whitney and her husband, Lyle of Hastings; Christine Hanson of Elwood, Nebraska; Gordon Hanson and his wife, Donna of Elwood; and Chuck Hanson of Lincoln, Nebraska; twelve grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; her twin sister, Doris Bourn of Auburn, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A memorial has been established in Phyllis’ honor and kindly suggested to: the St. John’s Catholic Church in Smithfield; the Elwood EMT’s; or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at HYPERLINK “http://www.nelsonbauerfh.com” www.nelsonbauerfh.com
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.
