Wilma Elaine Hanson

Wilma Elaine Hanson of Rush City, MN, was surrounded by her loving sons and family as she peacefully passed away and went to heaven on February 9, 2025.

Wilma lived a beautiful life. She lived for her children, family, friends, and cat Callie. She loved to fish, go to the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market, shop, travel, feed the birds, and spend time gardening. 

She was born June 13, 1943, in Shevlin, Minnesota, to Clifford and Vandella (Anderson) Julin. She spent much of her childhood in Shevlin on the family farm, and as a young girl, she also lived in Duluth. It was in Duluth that she met and married Dennis Johnson and gave birth to her son Daniel. She later had a second son, Allan, who passed away as an infant.

In 1974, she married Leland Hanson and had her third son, Michael. They eventually moved to Minneapolis and made a home there with the boys.

Wilma was a hard worker and survivor. She worked at General Mills in the cafeteria for more than 20 years. After she divorced, she worked her vacations and catering events on the weekends to earn extra money to support her family. Wilma was a thrifty, smart shopper who maximized every dollar. One example of that was when she put extra money towards her mortgage and, as a single mom, was able to pay off the home she raised her kids in. She was also able to travel overseas, take a cruise, and take multiple cross-country trips. Later in life, she had flight benefits, so she loved flying out to see her best friend. 

Wilma was a devoted family woman who brought her mother’s values into her home and instilled those in her children. She found joy in cooking and sharing her food. Every year, she made Christmas cookies for her sons; sometimes, she had her entire car trunk full of cookies to share for the season.

Wilma loved making people happy. From buying gifts for her kids, daughters-in-law, granddaughters, and more to stopping and saying thank you for your service to any veteran she encountered, she never met a stranger she could not become friends with. 

She is survived by her sons Dan (Karen) Johnson of Rush City and Mike (Heidi) Hanson of Plymouth; grandchildren Olivia (Bill) Karth of Stanchfield and Miranda Johnson of Atascadero, CA; brothers Keith Julin of Minneapolis and Loren (Suzanne) Julin of Shevlin and many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Vandella Julin; son Allan D. Johnson; and siblings Phyllis Bennett, Delores Fultz, and Arnold (Barb) Julin.

Wilma’s childhood dream was to raise cats and eat beans. I think we can say she succeeded in achieving that and much more. She created a strong family and network of friends that will miss her each and every day. That is her legacy.

Funeral services for Wilma: 3 PM; Saturday, (2/15/2025) with a time for family and friends to gather one hour prior to the service all at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City.  The interment will take place in Landstad Lutheran Cemetery, Shevlin, MN at a later date. A fellowship luncheon to follow services at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Rush City; 1000 South Jay Avenue, Rush City, MN. 

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel
www.FuneralAndCremationService.com