Ruth May Hanson (Weins) was born on February 19, 1931, on the Weins family farm north of Platte, South Dakota, to Nick and Lillian Weins. In 1937, her family moved to Calumet, Iowa, where she later graduated from high school. After graduation, Ruth returned to South Dakota and attended Southern State College in Springfield, where she studied education and taught at a rural school near Platte.

On June 8, 1952, Ruth married Palmer Hanson. The couple first lived in Spink and later moved to the Spirit Mound area north of Vermillion, where they farmed and raised their family. Ruth was a devoted mother and farmer’s wife who spent countless hours cooking for her family and tending to her garden. In 1964, they relocated to Iowa to continue farming west of Larabee. In 1972, they moved to Aurelia, where they continued farming, operating a dairy farm and raising cattle and hogs, until retiring in 1982 when they moved into town in Cherokee.

Ruth and Palmer were blessed with three sons: Dale, born in 1953, and twins Lyle and Leon, born in 1960. Family was always at the center of Ruth’s life, and she cherished the time spent with her children, grandchildren, and extended family.

Ruth and Palmer shared a love of travel and adventure. Together they attended a family reunion in Norway, traveled throughout seven European countries, explored many states across the United States, and even drove over 4,200 miles to Anchorage, Alaska. Wherever they traveled, Ruth especially enjoyed visiting with people and making lasting connections.

Ruth was a devoted member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church after the family moved to Larabee in 1964. Both she and Palmer were active in church life and served on many committees over the years. Ruth organized funeral lunches for more than 32 years and became well known for her homemade egg salad sandwiches and generous spirit of service.

Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, Palmer Hanson; her sons Leon and Dale Hanson; her parents, Nick and Lillian Weins; her brothers James and Robert Weins; her sisters Judy Wagner and Dorothy Westphal, and many other cherished family members.

She is survived by her son, Lyle Hanson and wife Darlene of Whittier, CA, and daughter in law Melanie Hanson of Hamilton, OH. Grandchildren Jennifer Hanson of Cincinnati OH, Leon (Tabitha) Hanson of Veyo UT; Megan (Matt) Stasi of Berea, KY, Mary (Tim) Omel of Santa Clarita, CA, and Blake (Reagan) Shaw of Loveland, Ohio; great-grandchildren Brandon Hanson, Mila, Owen, and Levi Stasi; Lincoln and Jonah Omel, Asa Hanson (expected in the coming days), and Rowan, Asher and Benjamin Shaw. Sisters Patty Anderson of Larabee, IA, Joan Anderson of Cherokee, IA, Alice Daniels of Eau Claire, WI, Rosemary Asterquist of Altoona, IA, and Jane Weins (sister-in-law) of Cherokee, IA as well as many other family and friends.

Ruth passed away peacefully on May 8, 2026, at Accura Healthcare of Cherokee. A memorial service for Ruth will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on July 11, 2026. Additional details will be announced at a later date.