Mary Ellen (Verschelde) Hanson was born May 10, 1945, to parents Herman and Caroline (Van Uden) Verschelde of Minneota, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Minneota. She attended St. Edward's Catholic School and Minneota Public School. Mary married James E. Hanson of rural Boyd, Minnesota, on September 2, 1977. Jim and Mary lived on their farm west of Clarkfield, Minnesota. Mary worked at the Clarkfield Care Center for ten years and the past 15 years in the kitchen at the YME School in Clarkfield. She was a member of the Clarkfield Lutheran Church. She enjoyed bowling, bird watching (especially Cardinals) and visiting with her family and friends. Mary passed away at the Clarkfield Care Center on Thursday, February 3, 2005, after a courageous battle with cancer, at the age of 59 years, 8 months, and 15 days. She is survived by her husband, James and her five sons: Brian (and special friend Barb) Prellwitz of Dawson, Minnesota, Scott Prellwitz of Willmar, Minnesota, Tim Prellwitz of Willmar, Minnesota, Jason (and Anita) Prellwitz of Montevideo, Minnesota, and Nathan Hanson of Willmar, Minnesota. She is also survived by two grandchildren: Alona and Bryce Prellwitz; and two step grandchildren: Amber and Kyle Anderson. Mary is also survived by her mother, Caroline Verschelde of Minneota and sisters: Eileen (and Alvin) Differding of Taunton, Minnesota, Margaret (and Lew) Spinner of Marshall, Minnesota, Rita (and Bob) Mack of Ivanhoe, Minnesota, Kathleen Hoffman of Omaha, Nebraska, Carol (and Ed) Roles of Minneota, Minnesota, Bernie Verschelde of Osseo, Minnesota, and JoAnn Scheerhoorn of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; one brother, Jim Verschelde of Redwood Falls, Minnesota; mother-in-law Dora Hanson of Westbrook, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Herman; brother David; brothers-in-law Larry Hoffman and Wayne Scheerhoorn; and father-in-law Edward Hanson. Funeral Service Monday, February 7, 2005 * 2:00 p.m. Clarkfield Lutheran Church, Clarkfield, Minnesota Officiating, Pastor Terry A. Brandt Organist, Charlann Kuehl Congregational Hymns "Here I am Lord" "Beautiful Savior" "Amazing Grace" "How Great Thou Art" Final Resting Place Clarkfield Lutheran Cemetery Clarkfield, Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota