Fargo, N.D. – Betty J. Hanson, 87, passed  away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, following complications from a stroke. 
Betty was born in Hazel, on March 25, 1928, to Eli and Judith (Skaug) Melvie, and grew up in the Thief River Falls area. After graduating from Lincoln High School and working for several years, she married Clarence E. Hanson on June 25, 1949. They moved to Fargo in 1957, and in addition to a family, Betty’s career incuded daycare and retail at the Fargo Book and Gift Shop, Scheels and Northport Johnson’s Drug, before retiring in 1988.
For Betty, family always came first. She will be remembered for her giving and loving heart and her strong devotion to her husband and children. She loved working with Clarence in the kitchen, preparing and serving delicious meals and baked goods. The family loved her homemade lefse, fattigman, krumkake, cookies and especially her doughnuts. 
Betty began everyday with a smile and positive attitude, and she found the best in everyone she met and knew. She loved being active. Walking, exercise and maintaining a healthy diet were all very important to her. A proud and longstanding member of Bethel Church, she studied the Bible and had devotions and prayer everyday. She drew great comfort from her strong faith throughout her life.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years; sons Roger (Norma), and Robert (Paulette); daughters Rachel (Monte) Baumgarten, Karen (Bryan) Hanson, and Kristine (Mitch) Hare; sisters Janice (Arvid) Lee and Gloria (Boyce) Lee; nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, many sisters and brothers-in-law and nieces and nephews. 
In additon to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Robert and Earl. 
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