Barb Hanson

Barbara Darlene Hanson, age 85, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2025, at Eventide, Jamestown, following a long battle with dementia.

Barbara was born February 12, 1939, in Eckelson, ND, to Olaf and Cecelia Berg. Her family moved to Jamestown in June of 1943, where she grew up and attended school. As a teenager, she worked as a carhop waitress at the A&W Drive-In and loved roller skating.

On June 23, 1955, Barbara married the love of her life, Duane Hanson, at the United Church of Christ in Jamestown, where they were long-time members. Together, they raised four children and shared a life full of love, adventure, and family. The couple lived briefly in Valley City and Madison, Wisconsin, before returning to Jamestown, where they made their home.

In addition to being a devoted mother and wife, Barbara worked as an assistant to the Stutsman County Register of Deeds and as a bus driver for Jamestown Public Schools. After her children were older, she earned her high school diploma in secret and proudly shared her achievement with her family, her radiant smile captured in her graduation photo.

Barbara and Duane shared a passion for travel, enjoying many adventures together, including trips to Spain, Italy, and around the U.S. in their Roadtrek Camper. Barbara also enjoyed fishing, and on one memorable trip, she reeled in the biggest Wild King, sporting pink curlers in her hair. Duane often bragged about her marksmanship every deer season-one shot, two years in a row --and the shell casings became a cherished part of the family lore.

In 1980, Barbara and Duane built their careers together by owning and managing Hanson Tire Service. A self-taught bookkeeper, Barbara took great pride in her work, earning praise from their CPA for her meticulous attention to detail. She was especially grateful for the opportunity to work alongside her nieces, Cheryl and Carole, and to care for the many staff members at the business. After Duane's passing in 2001, Barbara continued to run the family business alongside her son, Brian. They were members of the VFW, Eagles, DAR, Shriner's and bowling leagues.

Barbara was a loving and strong-willed mother. She didn't mince words and could solve a Rubik's Cube in a flash. A creative spirit, she loved crafting, and each holiday brought new handmade creations. Her famous fruitcake-complete with a comic strip about the fruitcake itself was a treasured gift that her family looked forward to every year.

Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Duane, her parents, and all of her siblings: Don, Betty, Jim, John, Beverly, Judy, and Ron.

She is survived by her son Kim Hanson (Gen) of Poulsbo, WA, grandson Peter, and great-granddaughter Willow; daughter Daune Hanson of Seattle, WA, and granddaughter Brittany; son Kevin Hanson (Janell) of Jamestown, ND, grandsons Jeremy (Natasha) with great-grandchildren Macie and Jaeger, and grandsons Joe and Jakeb (Lexi), with great-granddaughter Navey; and son Brian Hanson of Jamestown, ND, and grandson Brian J. Jr. (Kennedy)

Funeral Service – 11:00 AM Wednesday, January 29th at Haut Funeral Home in Jamestown. A reception will follow the service at the Gladstone Inn, 111 2nd Street NE, Jamestown.

Prayer Service- 7:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home

Interment- Sunset Memorial Gardens, Jamestown.

In Lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to the Eventide Memory Care Unit in Jamestown (1300 2nd Pl NE, Jamestown, ND 58401) or CLICK HERE