Obituary of Gail Joanne Taylor Hanson

Gail Joanne Taylor Hanson, PhD, died on September 27, 2024, in Saint Louis Park, MN at the age of 86. She was born March 30, 1938, in Minneapolis to Hildur Back and Glen Taylor. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Stuart Hanson, daughter Marta Hanson (Kelly Burke) of St. Louis Park, MN, son Peter Hanson and grandson Halen Fett Hanson of Incline Village, NV. One of six siblings, she is also survived by sister Sandra Helm of Richfield, MN, and brothers Robert (Susan) of Fort Collins, CO, Stephen and David of Spring Park, MN, and Gregory Albert "Bert" (Gretchen) of Minneapolis.

Gail graduated from Washburn High School in 1955 and the University of Minnesota where she earned four degrees in four different decades. She taught English at the King Junior High School in Oakland, CA, and Hiratska, Japan, special education in Columbia Heights, Richfield, and Minneapolis, MN, and speech communications at the University of Minnesota.

She gravitated to leadership roles wherever she was engaged. She was president of her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, as a senior at the UofM, board liaison for religious education for the First Universalist Church of Minneapolis, president of the League of Women Voters of Minneapolis, and president of the Minnesota Quilters, Inc.

Gail loved fiber arts. Knitting for family members evolved into needlepoint pillows, rugs, and wall hangings, many of which commemorated life events for family and friends. A series of six needlepoint pieces, colorfully depicting the concept of Six Days of Creation, are on permanent display in the John Cummings room at the First Universalist Church of Minneapolis.

When she retired from teaching at age 55, she designed a cabin that was built in Wisconsin. That project led to learning the art of quilt making. She became a master quilter which led to a legacy of

over 220 quilts of all sizes from baby quilts and wall hangings to king-size bed quilts to celebrate births, weddings, and other milestones of those she loved and who loved her. She also donated quilts for women at the Jane Brattain Breast Center at Park Nicollet Clinic, St Louis Park and to help raise money for the 50th class reunion for Washburn High School Class of 1955, Gamma Phi Beta Sorority at the U of M, and the League of Women Voters of Minneapolis.

Two quilts are publicly displayed: one in the lobby at the Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, and one in the waiting room of the pulmonary medicine department at Park Nicollet Clinic St. Louis Park, Minnesota. One of her great joys was her Small Quilt Group where she and her friends shared their projects along with their lives.

Gail loved reading, often having several books going at the same time. She and Stuart were in a couple’s book group for 45 years. She also enjoyed games. Her duplicate bridge group of the 1970s gradually evolved into a potluck dinner group that continues to meet. She especially loved cribbage. She kept track of winning sets ( two out of three games) on small papers; one for home, one for the cabin, and one for travel. During family board games, especially Pictionary, she was a team player and frequent winner.

Gail and Stuart lived in Japan for three years during their children's early years. She was exposed to the cultures of East, South and Southeast Asia which influenced the rest of her life. She eventually traveled to all seven continents and all seven seas. Her favorite was a trip in the Arctic Ocean through the Northwest Passage. She traveled around the world four times; two by air and land and two by sea.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, November 30th at the First Universalist Church, 3400 Dupont Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55408. Visitation at 10 am, service at 11 am. Mimosa luncheon. An exhibition will feature her early watercolors, later needlepoint work, and many of the extraordinary quilts she gifted to family and friends. A Happy Hour to honor her will be hosted Sunday, December 1st, 4-6 pm at Parkshore Senior Apartments, 3663 Park Center Blvd., Minneapolis, 55416. Memorials may be directed to the Gail Taylor Hanson Fellowship in Special Education #9178 at the University of Minnesota Foundation, 200 Oak Street SE, suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55455-2010.

Service also available on zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87342399033?pwd=GJSfRd5EbrPChnEwY8sWDmLW7agau9.1

Meeting ID: 873 4239 9033
Passcode: 110852