Evelyn Hanson

Evelyn A. Hanson, 91, passed away on Friday, March 29, 2024 at her home.

Funeral Mass will be on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 1:00 PM at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 1321 Braman Ave, Bismarck. 

Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5-7 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck with a Vigil Prayer service starting at 7:00 PM.

Evelyn Hanson was born at Killdeer, ND on April 28, 1932, to Johnny and Rose (Kupper) Mittlestadt. She grew up on a farm north west of Dunn Center, ND and attended a one room country school through the eighth grade. One highlight of those years was May Day. Everyone tried to outdo each other in making the prettiest May Day baskets and bringing them to school on May 1. 

The family then moved to Killdeer where she attended Killdeer High School and she helped make the first ever high school annual book. She was crowned homecoming queen during her senior year in 1950 and was also on the cheerleading team during her junior and senior year. During high school and after graduation, she worked at Wetsch’s Grocery Store and the US post office in Killdeer. In November of 1950, she married Melvin Hanson at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church. In March 1951, she joined her husband at Lompac, CA, where he was stationed at the army base. While there she was employed at the Army base motor pool division. In July, she returned to Killdeer and stayed at her father‘s farm, while her husband was to serve an 18 month stretch in Japan and Korea. When he returned, they resided in Killdeer and two sons were born in Dickinson. In March of 1953 they moved to Bismarck and their two daughters and two more sons were born.

Staying home to raise their six children, she worked several part-time jobs until her and her husband started their own office machine business. She worked there until July 1978. She then took an active part at the Al-Anon and the Beginning Experience program. She helped train and facilitate the support groups in Bismarck and Mandan and started one in Beulah/Hazen area. She also facilitated the Beginning Experience weekend at Richardton. Later she worked at Prairie Builders Construction, Robert James Real Estate, Logan Hill Real Estate, and Century 21 Morrison Real Estate. From there she started her own property management business which she ran from her home until 2007.

She also worked as an independent Shaklee, sales representative, enjoying working with natural and safe, environmental products, she built her Shaklee business. Evelyn was a long time member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Bismarck. 

She is survived by her five children, Greg (Debbie) Hanson, Bismarck, Diane (Curt) Kadrmas, Bismarck, Brian (Cherri) Hanson, Sioux Falls, SD, Valerie Hanson, Bismarck. Mark (Jennifer) Hanson, Georgetown, TN; eight grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Gary and Susan Mittlestadt, Rapid City, SD; Dave and Dar Mittlestadt, Bismarck, Ilene Kowis, Hettinger, ND; sister-in-law, Karen Czeczok, Lincoln, ND and many nieces, nephews, uncles and aunts. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Johnny and Rose Mittlestadt; ex-husband, Melvin Hanson; son, Lynn Hanson; grandson, Kyle Hanson and one great-grandson, Tre Heck in infancy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to North Dakota Adult and Teen Challenge, 1406 2nd St. NW, Mandan, ND, 58554.