Celia Sophie HANSON, 99, Barron, Wisconsin died Saturday, August 28, 2010 at Barron Care & Rehab in Barron, Wisconsin. Celia Sophie Erickson was born June 30, 1911 in Turtle Lake Township, Barron County, Wisconsin the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Bauer) Erickson. She was baptized at home and confirmed at the First Lutheran Church of Arland. She married Bert Edgar Hanson on December 4, 1929 at the Dallas Lutheran Church. Their only child Alice was born in 1930. They moved to New Richmond where Bert worked in a ski factory. Celia and Bert farmed for John Hawkinson in Arland and Alex Fritz and Lester Sims near Rice Lake. In 1940 they farmed for themselves on the Andrew Johnson farm near Rice Lake. In 1944 they moved back to Bert's home farm near Arland and lived in this home for 44 years. In 1949 her only grandchild, Bonnie, was born to Alice and Art Severson. They farmed until 1961 when they auctioned off their cattle and Celia began working in Jerome's on the packing line and in special products. She and Bert also picked eggs at the turkey farms. Celia made many lifelong friends while at Jeromes. In 1988 Celia and Bert sold their home, held an auction and moved to Barron. The First Lutheran Church of Arland was at the center of her life. Celia was a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Hope Friendship Circle and the Ladies Aid. For decades she crocheted for the annual church bazaar. Her handmade items are prized possessions of the lucky people who won the bidding. Celia was an avid gardener. She had large vegetable gardens through the years and loved to share the bounty. She was fond of flowers and African Violets were her favorites. Celia loved to cook and bake. She and Bert made lefsa together. Celia baked every kind of cookie, cake and pie from the exotic to the simple. She enjoyed canning vegetables. Her homemade donuts, pickles and spaghetti sauce were favorites of friends and relatives. Celia loved to play cards, fish and camp with friends and relatives. Celia was a remarkable woman with a keen sense of humor and tremendous love and compassion for everyone. Celia was a wonderful, living wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She will surely live on in all our hearts and will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her daughter Alice Severson of Barron, WI, her granddaughter Bonnie (Rob) Carlson of Minneapolis, MN; a sister Florence Thompson of Cameron, WI; a brother Carl (Delores) Erickson of Siren, WI; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Bert; 6 brothers Bill, Fred, Alfred, Frank, Albert and Lawrence; 1 sister Alice (Lizzie) Olson; son-in-law Arthur Severson, and her Godchild Steven Erickson. Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. at First Lutheran Church of Arland with Rev. Jeanne Warner officiating. Burial was held at Wayside Cemetery in Barron following lunch at the church. Visitation was held at Rausch & Steel Funeral Home in Barron on Wednesday September 1st from 4 to 8 P.M. and an hour prior to services at the church.