Barb Hanson

Barb Hanson, age 86, of Madison, was reunited with her parents and finally met the older brother she
never knew on Monday, April 8, 2024 at Bethel Lutheran Home.
Funeral services will be at 11 AM on Friday, April 12 th at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Steve Lindley
officiating. Visitation will be 5-7 PM on Thursday at Rustand-Weiland Funeral Chapel followed by a
prayer service at 7 PM. Visitation will continue on Friday one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in
Rose Hill Cemetery, Wentworth. Online guest book is at www.rustandweilandfuneral.com.
Barb’s family would prefer that any memorials can be directed to Trinity Lutheran Foundation, Bethel
Foundation or Rose Hill Cemetery.
Barbara Chase Hanson was born August 15, 1937 to Bill & Evelyn (Larsen) in Wentworth, SD. That day
was so hot Bill hosed down the house with cold water. Barb’s very earliest years were spent traveling
with her parents on the Chase Road Construction crew. She had many adventures including being
pushed into a cactus patch and being made an honorary member of an American Indian tribe.
Barb’s family came back to Wentworth when she was 5. It was at the time she first met David Hanson.
She attended country schools and graduated from Rutland High School in 1956. She attended General
Beadle State Teacher’s College from 1956-1958 and earned her 2-year degree to teach. She married
David on Halloween, 1958. Barb taught at Howard Elementary, Downs Rural School, Winfred
Elementary, Ramona Elementary, and Junius School. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from General
Beadle in 1970, and taught Head Start and Home Start for 20 years.
Barb loved children and teaching, and her Home Start families were especially close to her heart. She
used to say the kids she taught felt like her own kids, and the friends of her own kids were always
treated like part of the family. Barb was lucky to have many close, long-time friendships, including Dona
Hansen, Beverly Kraft, Shirley Hanson, Shirley Gilman, Evie Twedt, Bev Westall and their spouses.
She loved animals, particularly horses. Barb received her first horse, a miniature pony, at age 3 when her
grandpa won it at grocery store. Barb owned and rode horses into her 40s. Along with Dave, she was an
entrepreneur. They had a mink ranch and owned and operated Whispering Pines Campground in the
Black Hills. She and her friend Shirley had a lunch wagon at various auctions. And when Dave and Barb
retired from teaching, they farmed near Nunda.
Barb had a strong sense of humor and love for family & friends. She especially enjoyed spending time
with her grandchildren, whom she adored.
Barb is survived by her husband of 66 years, David; three children- Jim (Dana) Hanson, Merry Hanson,
Tim (Susie) Hanson; grandchildren- Chase (Lindsey) Hanson, Shelby Hanson, George Hanson and great-
grandchildren- Cash, Eden and Mabel Hanson.
She was preceded in death by her parents;