Our beautiful, irreplaceable wife, sister and aunt, Brenda (Hanson) Anderson, went home to be with the Lord on Leap Day, Feb. 29, 2024. She leapt into the arms of Jesus her Savior where all pain and suffering has ended. Brenda was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer where no human treatment was possible, and she passed very quickly at University of Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis.
Brenda was born on June 28, 1957, in Frederic, Wisconsin, to the Rev. Arnold and Harriet Hanson. She grew up in Luck and was a 1975 graduate of Luck High School. She was class valedictorian, but always claimed it wasn’t because she was smart. She said she just did her homework, which is good advice for students everywhere.
On June 14, 1980, Brenda married the man she loved, Michael D. Anderson, and they resided on a dairy farm in the Clam Falls area. She enjoyed country life and being around the many animals. She lovingly and patiently cared for her parents in their frail years and, after they passed, she worked 24 years taking care of the elderly at the Good Samaritan Home (now called Divine) in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. Her good friend and co-worker Pamm Hutton said, “Brenda was beyond wonderful, and so pleasant and kind. So many people she cared for over the years loved her a lot.”
She was a gentle, sweet soul. She loved the Lord, her family, stray dogs, barn cats, vulnerable and elderly people and, most particularly, children. She was a beloved babysitter to her nieces and nephew. She was slow to criticize anyone, and quick to apologize for any perceived hurt she may have caused. She was the family peacemaker. She was a comforter, a nurturer and the best sister God ever gave a person.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and her nephew, Simon Hanson Sr.
She is survived by her husband, Michael D. Anderson; sister, Lonna Hanson; brothers, Jim (Jacqueline) Hanson and Randy (Dawn Marquart) Hanson; four nieces, Lajla (Sam Detion) Hanson, Brekka (Jeff) Hanson-Spicer, Olivia Hanson and Rachael (Shaun) Anderson; grandniece, Kezia Hanson-Akinropo and Kezia’s son Zacari Edwards; and four grandnephews, Jaimon Jones, Elias and Graham Anderson, and Simon Hanson Jr.
Matthew 5:5-9:
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
