Joyce A. Hanson

Joyce A. Hanson, 84, of Chaseburg, died Friday August 12, 2011 at the Clare Bridge Memory Care Center in La Crosse after a long struggle with dementia. She was born October 12, 1926 in Vernon County to Floyd and Zella (Rumsey) Christenson and attended school in the Stoddard area. Joyce married Myron Hanson at Vang Lutheran Church rural Westby on October 12, 1946. They moved to the family farm near Chaseburg in 1947 and farmed there for the rest of their married life. Myron and Joyce were not only married on October 12, but they shared birthdays on that date as well.

Joyce was a devoted farm wife who milked cows, hauled hay, speared and stripped tobacco with great skill, tended her garden, baked cookies and cakes and raised five children. She worked hard and never complained because she loved life on the farm with her family and her many dogs and cats. She battled cancer three times, beating it each time and endured dementia for years with grace and dignity.

Joyce was a member of the Lower Coon Valley Lutheran Church for many years and was active in Ladies Aid and Circle. She was involved in many community activities and helped organize the Valley View 4-H Club.

Survivors include her five children, Myron Jr. (Pari) of Washington, D.C., Jerene Kabat of Andover, Minn., Monte of St. Paul, Minn., Wesley (Mary) of Chaseburg and Chris of Chaseburg; seven grandchildren, Jonathan Kabat, Anna Kabat, Arish (Heather) Ghodsian, Griffin Hanson, Lucas Hanson, Emma Hanson and Niknahz Hanson; one great grandchild Parmida Ghodsian and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother and sister.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday August 16, 2011 at the Lower Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Rev. Dan Wollman will officiate with burial in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Friends may call at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until service time.

A special thanks to the staff of Clare Bridge for dedicating themselves to Joyce's special needs during the final three years of her life. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer's Association.