Dona Hanson

Dona Mae (Schermerhorn) Hanson, 81, Vergas, MN, died peacefully on Monday, June 12, 2017 with her family by her side under the compassionate care of the staff at Perham Living and Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Friday, June 16, 2017 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Vergas, Reverend David A. Bode, officiating. Interment will be in the Vergas Village Cemetery.

Friends may call 5:00 – 7:00 PM Thursday with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at St. John's Lutheran Church in Vergas. The visitation will continue 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Dona Mae Hanson was born November 21, 1935 in Crystal, ND to Elray and Emma (White) Schermerhorn. Dona and her family lived on a farm near Crystal for 5 years, then moved to Dixon, IL for 7 years, eventually making their home near Vergas, MN where Dona attended Frazee High School.

Dona was united in marriage to Rodger Hanson, June 29, 1952 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Vergas. They made their home in Vergas where they were blessed with 5 children. Following Rodger's death in 2005, she continued to make her home in Vergas. Besides the full time job of raising their children, she also held various part-time jobs throughout her lifetime. These included working at Hanson's Hardware Store, serving at the Loon's Nest Restaurant and bookkeeping for Spanky's Stone Hearth

At the age of 13, while attending confirmation classes, Pastor Schmidt of St. John's Lutheran Church gave Dona the opportunity to learn how to play the organ. She would later become the organist for the church and played faithfully for over 50 years. Music was a passion she instilled in her children and grandchildren and it brought her joy to hear them play. She even organized her own Christmas pageants at her home where all her grandkids got to participate.

Dona's pride and joy was her family. Her house was the place where people gathered and family could be reunited. She loved a good game of rummy with her grandkids and lived vicariously through her children and grandchildren's travels. She loved unconditionally, always looked for the positive side of things, and would willingly step up in any situation that would bring aid and support for her family, church or city of Vergas. Her smile, hearty laugh and playful personality will be missed by so many.

Dona is survived by her five children, Chuck (Barb) of Fergus Falls, MN, Tim (Jill) of Pelican Rapids, MN, Hans (Amy) of Vergas, Cindy Hanson of New Hope, MN and Cheryl Hanson of Vergas, MN, 17 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Two sisters-in-law: Charlene Schermerhorn and Elaine Schermerhorn; numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Rodger, she was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Allen and Don. Furey Funeral Home is serving the family. Please visit www.fureyfh.com to leave online condolences