Alma Hanson

A funeral service for Alma Hanson, 93, Killdeer, is 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Killdeer, with Revs. John and Rachel Simonson officiating. Burial will take place in Oakdale Cemetery.

A visitation for Alma is at Stevenson Funeral Home in Killdeer on Thursday, Nov. 15, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Alma Adeline Kleemann was born May 28, 1919, to Hermann and Frieda (Vollmer) Kleemann, the youngest of four children. She grew up and attended elementary school in the Island community at the edge of the Badlands, north of Killdeer.

As a young woman, Alma worked in Killdeer at Anderson’s grocery store. With her love of music and talent for singing, she played guitar and sang in a band with her brother and her neighbor.

After a long courtship, Alma married Robert “Bob” Hanson in Dickinson on April 14, 1953, and the couple made their home in a log cabin in the Badlands near the Little Missouri River. In 1962, when Bob became manager of Killdeer Equity Elevator, they moved to Killdeer with their four children. Alma worked at the elevator as a bookkeeper and at St. John’s Lutheran Church as the secretary.

She also volunteered as a 4-H leader and Cub Scout den mother, and was a Thimble Club member. A career change for Bob took them to Edgeley in 1980. They returned upon Bob’s retirement in 1989.

Alma’s faith in prayer never wavered, and she enjoyed being a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Killdeer. She served in the Women of the church, sang in the choir and arranged flowers for the altar.

Alma was an avid gardener, and someone who enthusiastically shared her garden’s bounty of food and flowers. She cultivated and nurtured friendships just as carefully, and took great delight in writing and receiving letters. She never tired of spending time in the rugged beauty of the Badlands.

She also was a talented artist, a dispenser of soothing back rubs, a capable fixer of fences (even after “retiring” from that job at 80), a baker of heavenly cinnamon rolls and oatmeal cookies and so much more.

Alma loved with all her heart, was grateful for all she had, and shared her love freely with her kids and grandkids, many dear friends and relatives, and most of all, with her dear husband, Bob.

Surrounded by family, Alma passed away Friday, Nov. 9, under hospice care at Hill Top Home of Comfort in Killdeer. As the Lord gathers her into his loving arms, may he bless her for the faithfulness, generosity and joy she brought to those around her.

Alma is survived by her husband, Bob; her son, Dean (Duduzile Dludlu) of Ngololweni, Swaziland; daughters Judy (Greg) Coughlin of Chisago City, Minn., Cindy (Gail) Skjefte of Williston, and Darlene (Mike) Haven of Maple Grove, Minn.; grandchildren Lejaka Mathaba (Naomi), Ryan and Cari Skjefte, Laura Trueman (Alex), and Liana Haven; her sister, Gertrude Hanna of Watford City, and many extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, George “Bill” and Martin Kleemann. Her loving spirit and ready smile will be missed by so many.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.stevensonfuneralhome.com.

Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson/Killdeer

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