At the wonderful age of 95, Marjory Mae Hanson passed away peacefully on February 2, 2018 at Seasons of Life Hospice House in Woodruff, WI.
Born in Merrill on August 19, 1922 to parents Glen and Elizabeth (Sense) Germain, Marge graduated from Normal Teachers College and became an elementary schoolteacher, teaching grades 1 – 8 in a one room country school house. On August 10, 1946, she married Arthur Hanson. After several years of teaching, she and Art bought the A&W root beer stand in Merrill from Marge’s parents and, while raising three children, successfully operated it for almost three decades. After selling the business, she found that retirement didn’t suit her and embarked on a third career, working for the city transit department, eventually becoming the City of Merrill Transit Administrator.
Love for the Northwoods and a passion for fishing led Marge and Art to purchase a vacation cottage on Squirrel Lake in Minocqua, which eventually became their permanent residence. There, Marge was able to indulge in her love of fishing, baking and playing bingo. Hummingbirds were always well fed at her multiple feeders and guests never left her home hungry. A quick wit with a warm heart, Marge enjoyed traveling and spent endless hours entertaining and doting on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Douglas Germain and Stanley Germain; and her husband Art, the love of her life.
Her appreciation of nature lives on in her brother, Clifford Germain. Her dedication to the Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers certainly lives on in her three children, Denise ‘Dee’ Smedberg, David Hanson and Jeffrey Hanson (Holly Lange). Her love of the Northwoods lives on in her six grandchildren, Erica (Tom) Schumacher, Jordan (William Shane) Smedberg, Jesse (Rachael) Smedberg, Joe Buffington, Amanda (Dustin) Schell and Brandi Ellenbecker. Her joyful spirit and love of cookies lives on in her seven great-grandchildren, Fiona and Quinn Schumacher, Nakota and Wilder Shane, Charleston and Wyatt Smedberg, and Carter Schell.
Marge will be dearly missed and her family is profoundly grateful for the many years they shared with her.
Services will be held at Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, on Saturday, February 10, 2018, with visitation beginning at 10:00 am and funeral service at 11:30 am. The Rev. Phillip Beukema will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Seasons of Life Hospice or Rock of Ages Lutheran Church in Minocqua.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com