Carla Ruth "Hanson" Squires

Carla Ruth Squires 85, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at River Grand Assisted Living in Grand Rapids, MN.

Carla was born in Buyck, MN on January 2, 1941, to Carl and Margaret (Ross) Hanson. She grew up in Buyck, graduated from the Orr High School in 1959 and completed her education at the Virginia School of Practical Nursing in 1960 to become an LPN. During her career, she worked for the Lenont-Peterson Clinic, East Range Clinic, which later became Essentia Health--Virginia, until her retirement in 2008.

Carla and Galen Squires were united in marriage at the Crane Lake Chapel on March 11, 1961. Together, they raised 4 children at their home in Britt, MN. Over their years together, they were blessed with 13 grandchildren and more recently, a great grandson.

Carla loved God, her church and her church family. She was an active member of Emmanuel Baptist church in Midway for many years. After moving from her home in Britt, she was blessed to be supported in her faith by First Baptist (Cook), New Song (Grand. Rapids), Essentia Hospice Chaplain visits and daily devotional time with her friends and caregivers at River Grand. Her faith was strong and she knew she would someday be in Heaven. She is now united with her mother and father, her husband Galen, and her sister Elsie.

Carla loved baking: her pie baking ability and self-taught cake decorating skill are still talked about today. Her artistic talent was on display in the many yard displays she created for all to see as they drove by on Highway 53. Carla loved feeding the birds, squirrels and, especially, the chipmunks every morning and watching them from her kitchen windows. Her summers were spent gardening, picking berries, making jelly and pies and doing yard work.

Carla loved her family immensely. Her grandchildren and great grandson were so very special to her. There was nothing she enjoyed more than when the whole family would gather for holiday dinners or when one or two of the grandkids would spend the day with her. She loved having Wednesday family dinners with whomever was able to attend. Her M & M jar was always full, often used, and there was always a bucket of chocolate chip cookies in her freezer. She attended many of her grandchildren's school and sporting events over the years. We have been blessed to have her as our mom, grandmother, and great grandmother. She will surely be missed by all.

Carla was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Galen, her sister Elsie Dahlin and her brother-in -law Daniel "Jack" Squires.

Carla is survived by her children: Susan Rannikar of Virginia, Dan (Lisa) Squires of Gheen, Tari (Jack) Kinnunen of Grand Rapids and Tom Squires of Angora; grandchildren: Kaela (Patrick), Matt (Ashley) and Emily Rannikar, Noah (Veronica), Isaiah and Elijah Squires, Luke (Katelyn) and Hannah Kinnunen and Blake (Emily) Stanaway, Daniel, Fraol, Kelsey and Tyana Squires; great grandson: Louis Rannikar; sister: Marge (Bill) Dykhuis; brother-in-law: Dean (Linda) Squires; sister-in-law Char Mohs; her cherished cat, Scruffy; as well as numerous nephews, nieces & friends.

Carla's family would like to thank her caregivers at River Grand Assisted Living and Essentia Health Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 6, 2026, from 1 pm until the 2 pm funeral service at Rockwell Church in Virginia, MN. Interment will take place at Greenwood Cemetery in Virginia, MN.