Myrtle “Myrt” V. Hanson, 84, of Austin died Friday, Nov. 6, 2009 at Grand Meadow Healthcare Center in Grand Meadow, Minn.

Myrt was born June 12, 1925 in Sibley County, Minn. to Leonard and Edith (Karver) Smith. She attended country school in the rural Chatfield area. She attended Rochester High School for three years and graduated from Columbia Heights High School in Minneapolis. On Nov. 23, 1944, she was united in marriage to Mervin Hanson at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minn.

Myrt was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church where she belonged to the Ladies Aid. She was a member of a birthday club and Modern Home Eccers. She was a Brownie and Cub Scout leader. She enjoyed cake decorating and quilting, the cabin on Lake Mazaska, dancing, traveling, camping, family get-togthers, and reading to her children and grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Mervin Hanson, Austin; her five children, Gretchen (Harlan) Eliason, Sacred Heart, Minn., Colleen (Dennis) Charlson, Mason City, Iowa, Orin (Ann) Hanson, Brooklyn Park, Minn., Neal Hanson, Scandia, Minn., and Gene (Angie) Hanson, Hanover, Minn.; five grandchildren, Kari Eliason, Kirsten Eliason, Aaron Charlson, Mitchell Engstrom, and Nicholas Engstrom; great-grandson, Ethan Eliason; nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Raymond and Elwin; and her sister Agnes.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church with Vicar Brian Krueger officiating. Interment will be in Bear Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. and at the church for one hour before the service on Tuesday.
Organist will be Robert Goetz and the vocalists will be Kenneth and Mary Swenson.

Honorary Bearer will be Aaron Charlson.

Casket Bearers will be Mitchell Engstrom, Nicholas Engstrom, Kari Eliason, Kirsten Eliason, Bruce Olson, and Kenneth Smith.

Memorials are preferred to Holy Cross Lutheran Church or Austin Medical Center Foundation.