Obituary of Jean Merle (Johnson) Hanson

Jean M. Hanson, 86, departed on December 29, 2020 in Duluth, Minnesota. Jean was born on July 31, 1934 to Clarence Johnson and Catherine (Filipovich) Johnson (later Stevens). She grew up in Duluth and also on the Iron Range with her extended family. She was a graduate of Duluth Central High School. On her 19th birthday, she married Richard Hanson in Duluth at First Lutheran Church.

Jean and Dick built a house in Duluth Heights and raised a family of 5 children. Jean loved taking the kids to the lake and bowling with her girlfriends. She worked hard at being a stay-at-home mom and creatively making ends meet from clipping coupons and hitting the sales at every grocery store in the area to taking on odd jobs.

She was a very talented seamstress and worked as an alterations expert for many of the stores at the Miller Hill Mall in the 1970’s. She then started her own alterations business in which her talents were highly sought. Her sewing talents were also evident in the many gifts she lovingly made for her children and grandchildren.

Jean and Dick looked forward to hosting large family picnics throughout the summer months, which always included a bocce ball tournament.

When she retired, one of her favorite activities was gambling – she loved going to the casino! When that was no longer possible, she played bingo at her living facility. She was always looking for her next lucky charm – the latest, just a few days earlier, was a homemade angel Christmas cookie that helped her win 3 Bingo games in one sitting – putting her in the “paper” money category! 

Jean’s huge heart and loving ways will be missed by her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by Dick, her husband of 67 years; her sister, Clarice; her 5 children: Steve (Denise), Cathy Caine (Richard), Greg (Dede), Chris Degroote (Terry), and Laurie Hanson (Mike Dinkel); 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her very dear friend of many years, Donna  Kreidler.

Thank you to St. Luke’s ICU staff for their outstanding care of Jean and her family. Arrangements are by the Cremation Society of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at a future date.