Monica Maurine Hanson

Monica Maurine Hanson, age 86, of Shoreview, Minnesota, passed peacefully into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on April 9, 2026.

Monica was born on February 16, 1940, in Kellogg, Idaho, to Richard and Maxine Montgomery. She grew up in Seattle, Washington, alongside her beloved brother Bill. Her childhood was filled with treasured memories camping, boating, clamming at the ocean, and exploring the Blue Mountains with her family. The beauty of the Pacific Northwest and those early years remained close to her heart throughout her life.

Monica had a wonderful sense of wit and humor and lived her life with deep love-for her Lord, her family, and her friends. As a teenager, she came to know Christ while attending a Youth for Christ meeting at Gatewood Baptist Church in Seattle, a faith that would guide and sustain her throughout her life.

She later met Glenn Hanson of Turtle Lake, North Dakota, and the two were united in marriage at Gatewood Baptist Church in Seattle in 1961. Together, they shared 65 years of devoted marriage, building a life of love, adventure, and service. Monica accompanied Glenn during his time abroad in Germany and through additional military deployments, embracing each chapter with strength and grace.

In 1968, Monica and Glenn made their home in St. Paul, Minnesota. There, Monica dedicated 28 years of her career to the State of Minnesota colleges, serving faithfully as a purchasing agent. She cherished her role as a mother and especially enjoyed supporting her two boys, Pete and Jim, taking great joy in following their activities, endeavors, and growing families.

Monica was deeply involved in her church, Faith Baptist in St. Paul, where she served as a teacher and played an active role in women's ministries. She especially loved music, often singing with joy and playing the organ and accordion in her home.

Monica found joy in many things-gardening, attending concerts, expressing creativity through art and painting, and enjoying ice cream. Monica also had a remarkable gift of hospitality. She warmly opened her home to missionaries, family, and friends, always making others feel welcomed and loved.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Monica faithfully prayed for all those she loved, holding them close in her heart and lifting them up in constant love and care. Those who knew her will remember her as kind, compassionate, strong, and unwavering in her faith. Her life was a reflection of her deep love for the Lord and for those around her.

She is survived by her husband, Glenn Hanson of Shoreview, Minnesota; her children, Peter (Kristine) Hanson of Gordon, Wisconsin, and James (Margaret) Hanson of Hastings, Minnesota; her brother, William (Marcia) Montgomery of Bellingham, Washington; her nieces, Katie (Shelby) Miller and Kristine (Neil) Ziesdorf, along with other beloved nieces and nephews; her grandchildren, Cassie, Grant (Morgan), Joe (Charisa), Holly, Erin, and Emma (Mansoo) Cho; and her great-grandchildren, Shoshana, Everleigh, and Haven. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Richard Montgomery and Maxine Montgomery.

A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Faith Baptist Church, St. Paul, Minnesota. A luncheon will follow the service. A private interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the caregivers at Prelude Memory Care and their church family for their love, care, and support during this time.

Monica will be deeply missed and forever remembered.