Frances Louise Hanson

Frances Hanson was called home on July 13, 2014. She was born to Stanley and Mary Rutkowski in Flint in 1920. Soon afterward the family relocated to Johannesburg, and then to Grayling, where Fran would be a lifelong resident. She married Robert M. Hanson in 1951, and left her job at Bear Archery to raise a family. In 1971 Fran stepped back into the job market, going to work in the Grayling High School cafeteria. The nearly 25 years she spent as food service director would be the best years of her life. She often spoke of how much she loved the kids, and that affection was returned. Though she retired in 1995, scores of former GHS students still remember "lunch lady Fran" with great fondness. She was very active with the St. Mary's Ladies' Club from the 1960s through the 90s, organizing funeral luncheons for much of that time. She also served on the Crawford County Planning Commission, the Zoning Board, and the Commission on Aging. When she retired from her career at GHS at the age of 75, Fran joined the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary. She took great pride in her fifteen years of volunteer work, hanging up her red coat just shy of her 91st birthday. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bob, and brothers Edmund, Walter and twin brother Lewis. She is survived by her son, Rob, of Grayling, daughter Nancy (Jeff) Suttle of West Fargo, ND, and grandson, Wesley, of Minneapolis, MN. She also leaves behind a dear sister-in-law, Shirley Rutkowski, of Traverse City, along with several nieces and nephews. Fran's family is grateful to Mercy Hospice for their compassionate support during the past month. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church on August 11, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. The family asks that contributions be made to the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary. Arrangements by Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frances Louise Hanson, please visit our flower store.