Katleen "Katy" Johnson Hanson, 80, of Crookston, Minnesota, passed away on April 18, 2026 at the Benedictine Living Center.

Katy was the second child born to Henry & Ruby Johnson in October of 1945. She grew up on the farm near Euclid, MN with her sister and an expansive group of cousins. She remembered attending a one room school house until 4th grade, going to the neighbors to watch tv because her family didn't have one, and seeing every episode of "I Love Lucy." After her high school graduation, she worked for Polk County State Bank in Crookston for 10 years. The first time she saw Paul Hanson, she told her friend she wanted nothing to do with him. They married in 1973 and she began her next career of raising 7 rambunctious kids on the farm.

In the moments of peace and quiet, she enjoyed game shows (do not disturb her when Jeopardy is on), jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, and working the daily word games in the Grand Forks Herald. She rarely missed the Artists' Series events or stopping at an antique or thrift store to find new additions to her Santa Claus and Cherished Teddies collections. Every spring, she looked forward to buying plants at Bergeson's that she would proceed to forget to water the rest of the year. She enjoyed traveling, but she refused to set foot on an airplane. She hated cooking so was more than happy to pay for a meal out at The Shanty, Happy Joe's, or Red Lobster.

In 1998, she started her favorite career of all: Grandma. Once the grandkids came along, it was necessary to have a bigger playset and a pool in the yard. Cookies, chocolate chip muffins, pancakes, and English muffin bread could be made at all hours of the day. A bowl of mini marshmallows suddenly was an acceptable snack. Shopping trips to the toy section at Walmart became a regular occurrence.

She was a lifelong member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Crookston. She served as treasurer and the head of the Sunday school program. She enjoyed the Christmas lefse making, the annual rummage sale, and the summer luncheons (she always made her bread pudding & caramel sauce.) She especially enjoyed the camaraderie of the Methodist women's group and their Thursday morning get-together with the Presbyterian ladies.

She is survived by her husband, Paul. Her children & their spouses: Steve & Suzanne Hanson, Michelle Hanson & Al Ingling, Jennifer & Jeff Cook, Nancy & Chris Kolstoe, Jason Hanson, Diana & Taylor Amiot, and Alex & Danielle Hanson. Her grandkids: Brandon, Luke & Kendall, Jared & Maddie, Sarah, Emma, Ruby, Violet, and Georgia. Her sister, Bev Tate, and a few of the cousins. Her brother-in-law, John Hanson, and her sisters-in-law, Paulette Hanson and Shirley Hanson. Her church family at Wesley United Methodist Church. Her pesky but loveable cat, Carl.

She was preceded in death by her parents. Her brothers-in-law, Jim Tate, Pat Hanson, and Joe Hanson. Many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her beloved dog children, Sadie & Ella.

Katy's family will celebrate her life with a funeral service on Monday April 27, 2026 at Wesley Lutheran Church in Crookston beginning at 11:00 am with lunch following the service. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am. Interment will take place at Oakdale Cemetery at a later date.

The family wishes to thank RiverView Health for diagnosing the metastatic cancer, Altru Health System for trying to treat it, and the Villa St Vincent & HIA Hospice for providing care when it all became too much.