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Martha Hansen • 1914 - 2008 She was born August 25, 1914, on a farm in Eina, Norway, and baptized as Mathea Thorsbakken. In April 1916, Martha, her parents, Andrew and Netta Bakken, and a brother, Andrew Jr. adopted American names after traveling from Norway to Ellis Island on the Kristianiafjord oceanliner. From there they took a train to Minot to settle on South Prairie where they jointly farmed with her uncle, Claus Amley, before moving to their own farm one section east in 1927. Martha attended country schools in Freedom and Willis townships through eighth grade and graduated from Minot High School in 1933. She then enrolled in a Minneapolis business school, and returned to Minot to work as a secretary and office manager at the Farmer's Union Oil Company, Northwest Clinic, and the office of Drs. Hart and Keck. She married Ove Hansen on May 29, 1947, in Minot, moving into the Hansen family home near Oak Park in 1957. She resided there until moving into the Trinity Nursing Home in 2003. Martha also worked at Minot Restaurant Supply, founded by her husband in 1949. They loved to travel across North Dakota and much of the United States on business and personal trips. For many years they traveled with an Airstream trailer as members of the Good Sam Club. After retirement, they spent many winters in Texas and returned home in their RV touring 47 of the lower 48 states. Martha attended Saron Lutheran Church on South Prairie as a youngster, and was confirmed at Bethany Lutheran. She joined Zion Lutheran Church after marrying her husband, and was active in Circle One. Her involvement with several civic and charitable organizations included the Sons of Norway, Norsk Høstfest, Minot State University Development Foundation, and BPO Elks. She enjoyed daily walks through Oak Park and attending musical events, the State Fair, and the Medora Musical. She loved spending time with many nieces and nephews, their children and grandchildren, too, with outings to play or swim in the park, or for ice cream cone treats. She is survived by two sisters, Ruth Watland, Minot, and Ilene Yost, Minneapolis, and by several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister, Mabel Kerner, and brothers, Andrew Jr., Henry, Clifford, and Oscar Bakken Funeral Service: Saturday, April 26, 2008, at 1 p.m.
at Zion Lutheran Church, Minot. Officiates: Rev. John Streccius and Rev. Mary Lou Aune Music Honorary Bearers: Martha's family and friends Active Bearers: Larry Bakken, Bryce Beck, David Forthun,
Dustin Wohl, Kelsey Wohl Zach Wohl To sign the online guest register
for Martha |
Martha
Hansen, 93, Minot, died Tuesday, April 22, 2008, at a Minot nursing
home.