Flora Hanson, age 96, of Mitchell, formally of Winner, passed away on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at the Firesteel Nursing Home in Mitchell, SD with family by her side.  Funeral service will be held 1:00 PM Thursday, November 10, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in Winner. Burial will follow at the Winner City Cemetery. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service.

A celebration of the life of Flora Ellen Hanson was held on November 10, at the United Methodist Church in Winner, SD, with Pastor Tim Stafford officiating.

Flora Ellen was born on January 30, 1920 to Harvey and Frances (Kaplan) Newland in the Norden, Nebraska area.

Flora attended school through the 8th grade in the Sparks and Norden Nebraska area.  She also attended high school for a short while in Millboro, South Dakota.  She was then needed at home to help her mother care for her father who was in poor health.

September 13, 1937 Flora and Ernest Hanson were united in marriage and to this union seven children were born.

Flora was a stay at home mom and was very committed to her husband Ernest and her family.  She was also very involved with her church which she and Ernest helped establish in their community which is now known as the Shadly Valley Church.  Together they would house the missionaries and evangelists that came from time to time.

Flora was an excellent cook and many people were fed at her table.  Flora loved the farm and working with her family.  She was very strong and committed to the tough things as Ernest struggled with many health issues.  She had a heart that was so strong and committed to the Lord.  It was always about pleasing Jesus and she always instructed her family in His ways.

Flora's cinnamon rolls were always the best.  She toiled in her garden and she had a love for the country and all of the animals and along with Ernest built their farm from the bottom up and was never known to complain.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ernest on November 10, 1980, 2 Sons; Rodney and Richard Hanson and a grandson Kurt Roby.  Flora is also survived by 4 sisters; Etta Patterson, Rosa Bryant, Wiona Coon and Dora Schields, brothers; Ollie Newland, Henry Newland and Arthur Newland.

Floral Ellen Hanson is survived by 2 daughters; Jane (Bill) Roby of Altona, KS, Mildred (Dennis) Weber of Stewart, NE, 3 sons; Larry (Connie) Hanson of Fulton, SD, Stanley (Lue) Hanson of Winner, SD and John Hanson of Winner, SD.  She is survived by a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.   She will be greatly missed by them all.