Alvina Hanson Obituary

Alvina M. Hanson was born on September 4, 1923 at home in Star Township, Pennington County to Eddie and Hannah (Bakken) Arveson. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith in her Bakken grandparents' home on October 17, 1923, and she was confirmed on July 18, 1937. She attended country school until 4th grade and graduated from Goodridge High School in 1942. After graduation, Alvina worked in Thief River Falls at Anderson Jewelry and as a nurse's aide at Mercy Hospital.

Alvina was united in marriage to Alfred G. Hanson on June 16, 1946, at Nazareth Lutheran Church, rural Trail. To this union, two daughters were born, Pamela and Beverly. As Alfred's career with Midland relocated the family to each new town, Alvina worked with him in Middle River and Hayfield as the bookkeeper, in Thief River Falls as a nurse's aide and teacher's aide, and in Warren as a kindergarten aide before settling back in Thief River Falls in 1980. With every move, Alvina made each new house a home. In their retirement, she and Alfred worked for their daughter, Pam, in the Auction-2-Sell business for 24 years.

Alvina enjoyed embroidery, crocheting, canning, and baking. Her donuts were amazing! She was an avid quilter, creating quilts for her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, along with several other family members. She and Alfred enjoyed fishing and wine making. Alvina will be remembered for her willingness to help, her wise advice, and her insightful ability to give what was needed with unconditional love "Because that's what you do!"

Alvina is survived by her daughters, Pam Cwikla of Thief River Falls and Beverly (Wayne) Torgerson of Warren; 5 grandchildren, Errin (Lynnae) Kolden of Wausau, WI, Jerod (Meg) Kolden of Thief River Falls, Kaia (Will) Sappington of Horace, ND, Megan (Chris) Torgerson Vitko of Inver Grove Heights, Kaitlin (Johny) Barbosa of Warren; 9 great-grandchildren, Bailee (Christian) Larson, Matthew Kolden, Evangeline, Guthrie, and Zevon Sappington, Fiona and Freya Vitko, Solvi and Olin Barbosa; great-great-grandson, Beckem Larson; brother, Lloyd (Mae) Arveson of Thief River Falls; Alvina is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Alvina was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Alfred; her parents; brothers, Clifford (Luella), Verner (Mildred), and foster brother, Vernon Christianson; and son-in-law, Allan Cwikla.

Alvina Hanson, 101, of Thief River Falls, MN passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at Sanford Thief River Falls Medical Center with her loving daughters by her side.

Funeral Service for Alvina will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Kristin Ostercamp officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be begin at 5:00 PM with a prayer service at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Thursday.

In Lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to be made to Oakland Park Nursing Home or Zion Lutheran Church.

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