On December 27, 1927, Mary Elizabeth Purtell was born in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. She was the youngest of Daniel and Catherine Purtell’s 10 children. She had as good a life as one could have, in the midst of the Great Depression. At the age of 10, Mary’s mother died. She was then sent off to live with older siblings and care for their children.
The loss of her mother and the depression shaped her life deeply. Child rearing, culinary and frugal housekeeping talents were developed and in return, Mary’s older siblings sent her to nursing school at St. Mary’s Nursing School which is now the Mary’s Mayo Methodist Medical Center in Rochester, Minnesota.
While in nursing school, Mary specialized in pediatrics and met her lifelong friend Shirley Martinsen. Shortly after graduation, she met the love of her life over a spinal tap. The dashingly handsome Dr. Harris D. Hanson M.D. caught her eye and he pursued her intently. They married soon after that tap!
The first of nine children was born a year later, Jeannye (Michael) and eight more followed in fairly quick succession, Dan (Sue), John, Jule’ (Dean), William, Suzanne (Max), Mary Cal (Rick), Pete (Maria) and finally Kate (Al).
The nursing career was put on hold as you can imagine. She and Harris lived in many U.S. cities before settling in Helena in 1965. In addition to providing cultural enriching experiences for her family, Mary worked as a docent at the Montana Historical Society for 35 years and cultivated a love of Montana history. She earned her Bachelors of Nursing Degree from Carroll College in 1979, worked for the Red Cross Blood Drives Organization and Buckle-up-Your-Babes foundation at St Peter’s Hospital, Shodaire Hospital for Children as well as St. Peter’s Hospital nursery and medical floor. She was a Master Gardener/Judge and a 20+ year member of the Fort Nightly Book Club which was founded in 1890.
Mary valued family, work and community and she served them all well. She is preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, husband Harris and son Dan. She is survived by eight of her children, eleven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Mary is a shining example of a life well lived. The Helena community has played a huge role in that well lived life and her family is grateful for all the love and support. The Hanson family would like to extend a special thanks to Stone Meadow Renaissance Senior Care and Compassus Hospice for all the compassionate care they provided.
A vigil will be held at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, November 8th at Anderson Stevenson WIlke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 noon Thursday November 9th at the Cathedral of St Helena, 530 N. Ewing St. A reception will follow the Mass at the Green Meadow Country Club, 2720 Country Club Avenue. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation, Compassus Hospice or a charity of choice.
Service Schedule
Vigil
7:00 p.m.
Wednesday November 8, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Thursday November 9, 2017
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
After the Mass
Thursday November 9, 2017
Green Meadow Country Club
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Vigil
7:00 p.m.
Wednesday November 8, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Thursday November 9, 2017
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
After the Mass
Thursday November 9, 2017
Green Meadow Country Club
Helena, Montana 59601
Maureen McCarthy Oelkers says
Sweet Mother Mary is with her prince charming. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Hanson Clan. Love & prayers, Maureen and Loren Oelkers and family
Tom Naegele says
Hanson Family,
Your Mom was 1 in a Billion and I will remember her in my prayers, along with you Dad. She and Hans have created a wonderful Legacy and I send you all prayers of Support and Love during this time of Life Celebration for Mary. Peace and Tranquility
Jeanne Naegele Kohal says
Dear Hanson Family
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Your mom touched my life at a very young age and I will always remember the warmth in her smile.
Sherri Staats says
Dr. Hanson and all of your Family:
I am truly so sorry for the loss of your wonderful and beautiful mother. I still have fond memories of sharing Mass at Touchmark with both your parents with Father Stu. I know your parents are re-united in love again and happy together. May the wonderful memories you have of her give your comfort and peace in the days to come. Rest assured she is with our Blessed Mother.
Margaret Stockdale Brun says
I worked as a nurse aide at Shodair Children’s Hospital, I remember Mary and what a delight she was to work with. Mary had a very calm reassuring voice and you knew she truly loved her job. I am so thankful I was able to know Mary and Dr. Hanson also. May all her family and friends be at peace just as Mary is now.
Mary and Marty Mouat says
Such a beautiful obit and pictures of the ever lovely Mary Hanson. I so admired her as a busy mother and a nurse. Lucky enough to work with her a few years at St. Peter’s! I am quite sure she and her handsome doctor are up there–together once again. Blessings and prayers for the entire Hanson family.
Claire Marie Miller says
After being stranded on 911 at Boulder Hot Springs, I came to return and to meet and visit with Uncle Harris and Aunt Mary. My trips to Montana were to teach my workshops mostly in Bozeman. I fell in love with the beauty of Montana, and felt blessed to have family to visit and get to know my mother’s dear sister.
Aunt Mary came back to North Carolina to see my mom before Lucille passed. It was really sweet of her to make that trip by herself in her 80’s.
I wish that I had know Aunt Mary and Uncle Harris for more then the few visits we had. I could see what a beautiful love and kindness they had for each other. They are together again. And hug my mother Lucille for me, Mary.
Bonnie Crawford says
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Jeannye and family in the loss of your mother. It is hard to find the right words but just know that we are thinking of you with sympathy and understanding will somehow help to give you strength at this time. Mary Jane Roderick and Dennis and Bonnie Crawford
Karleen Hanson says
Hanson Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May loving memories give you comfort now.
Robert and Karleen Hanson
Bobbie Sue Carothers says
Mary was an amazing woman and I am so proud that I got to know her. She was a caring mother and the love that she and Dr. Hanson had was an inspiration to us all. I will always remember her wonderful smile and gentle spirit. May you dance in Heaven Mary.
Bobbie Sue Carothers
Janet Armstrong says
Pete, Maria and all the Hansons,
I treasure the time I was able to spend with your parents. They were fun and also amazing. Your Mom somehow managed to juggle 9 kids and to volunteer. When I asked her how she managed all that she just shrugged her shoulders and said that she just did. I am in awe of how she handled such a large responsibility with grace. We are thinking of you and giving thanks for the years that she had with you. Our prayers are with you, please know that you have our love and sympathy.
Love,
Janet and kids
Donna Wise says
Mary was such a classy lady. I remember her as always friendly and gracious. Prayers for all her family.
Mary Clark says
Mary was such a fine woman. Gracious and kind. at St Peters, I admired her nursing skills and enjoyed the chance to work with her. She was a good nurse- high praise from another nurse.
I also shared church life with her at the Cathedral where she continued to quietly shared her faith and caring.
I loved to see how she and Dr Hanson cared for each other and their family.
Please know that I carry your parents in my heart wth loving memories.
Wanda Arlint says
Dr. Hanson and family: I’ll be thinking of you an your family, please find comfort in knowing that I care.
Jean Purtell says
Dear Hanson Family:
The entire Francis Purtell Family sends its deepest sympathy.
Although I haven’t met almost all of you and only saw Mary when she came to Wisconsin for a visit or family reunion, I want each of you to know that I share your grief in the loss of your mother, Mary. Some of you may remember many years ago, when your Uncle Francis (Frank) and Isabel stopped in Helena on their way to Washington. My husband, Francis enjoyed the trip and always remarked how good it was to see the Hanson’s and play his guitar for them. Mary has joined him and I’ll bet he is singing to her and his other 9 siblings right now.
May God Bless and keep each of you in His loving care always. Jean Purtell and family.
Russell Raschkow says
This ol’ Stuart St. hood rat is sad to see the matriarch of the Hanson clan has crossed o’er the Great Divide.
Harris and Mary raised a fine, fun bunch of kids that shined bright on the neighborhood of my youth. Y’all filled out the teams at many a game of wiffle-ball!
Jeannye (who ran herd!), John, Jule, Bill, Suzie, Mary Cal, Pete and Katie, my condolence. Harris and Mary had a good run, are together again yet alive and well within each one of you.
Peace be with you all, and God bless.
Russ