Georgia Hanson

Georgia Hanson, 81 of Woodbury, MN and formerly of Waubay died on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at a Woodbury care center. Her funeral will be at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, January 19, 2017 at Fiksdal Funeral Chapel in Webster, Rev. Janet Miller will officiate. Burial will be at Hope Lutheran Cemetery at Summit at a later date. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Wednesday 5-7 P.M. and prior to services on Thursday. Fiksdalfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, a memorial to the SD Alzheimer’s Association, 1000 Northwest Ave. #250, Sioux Falls, SD 57104 is preferred. Her family thanks everyone for their generosity in finding a cure for this dreaded and cruel disease. Georgia Rae Reynolds was born on Thursday March 7th 1935 to Glenn and Hazel (Legaard) Reynolds in Watertown SD. Georgia grew up on a farm west of Summit SD, attended country school in Mazeppa Township, Grant County. Upon the country school closing, Georgia finished her education at Summit Public School, graduating in 1954. She attended Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen SD after High School graduation securing a 2 year teaching certificate. Following her completion of her certificate at NSTC, Georgia accepted a teaching position in Webster SD. In 1956 she married Alvin “Bud” Hanson at the Summit Lutheran Church in Summit SD. She continued to teach in Webster until the birth of their first child, Keith in March 1959. Georgia enjoyed her role as a stay at home mom, bringing into the world a 2nd son Gordon in May of 1962. Georgia re-entered the teaching world in 1966 at the Waubay Public School system. She continued her higher education while teaching full time in Waubay, receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Northern State College, graduating with honors in 1972. She taught various classes ranging from 3rd grade to 7th grade over the course of her 32 year career in Waubay. Georgia retired from the Waubay School system in May of 1997. In retirement she enjoyed leisure time with Bud doing yardwork, maintaining her garden and flower beds, golfing and an occasional visit to a local casino. Following Bud’s passing in 2004 Georgia found a fellowship of friends, new acquaintances and former colleagues at the Waubay Senior Citizens Center. She enjoyed daily meals with the group and countless afternoons and evenings of Pinochle and Whist. This group was truly a blessing to her as she adjusted to life alone in Waubay. In 2010 Georgia entered the Park Place Assisted Living facility in Milbank making her residence there until January of 2014. At that time she relocated to Prelude Cottages Memory Care in Woodbury MN. Throughout her life Georgia enjoyed her teaching career, her community, her family and the many, many friends she made along the way. She and Bud were avid bowlers and enthusiastic car racing fans. Georgia was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Waubay, Joy Circle, The American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Tuesday Literary Club and the Waubay Seniors Citizens. Survivors include hers sons Keith of St Paul MN, Gordon (Terri) of Bolivia NC and granddaughter Lexi of Bolivia NC. Georgia was preceded in death by her husband Alvin and her parents.