Alvina M. Hanson, a centenarian from Thief River Falls, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2025, at the age of 101.

Alvina M. Hanson, a centenarian from Thief River Falls, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2025, at the age of 101. Born on September 4, 1923, in Star Township, Pennington County, to Eddie and Hannah (Bakken) Arveson, she was baptized in the Lutheran faith in her Bakken grandparents’ home on October 17, 1923, and confirmed on July 18, 1937. She graduated from Goodridge High School in 1942 and worked in Thief River Falls at Anderson Jewelry and as a nurse’s aide at Mercy Hospital. echovita.com+1trftimes.com+1trftimes.com

Alvina married Alfred G. Hanson on June 16, 1946, at Nazareth Lutheran Church, rural Trail. Together, they had two daughters, Pamela and Beverly. As Alfred’s career with Midland relocated the family to various towns, Alvina worked alongside him in Middle River and Hayfield as a bookkeeper, in Thief River Falls as a nurse’s aide and teacher’s aide, and in Warren as a kindergarten aide before settling back in Thief River Falls in 1980. In their retirement, she and Alfred worked for their daughter, Pam, in the Auction-2-Sell business for 24 years. trftimes.com

Alvina was known for her love of embroidery, crocheting, canning, and baking, with her donuts being particularly renowned. She was an avid quilter, creating quilts for her daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and several other family members. She and Alfred enjoyed fishing and winemaking. Alvina will be remembered for her willingness to help, her wise advice, and her insightful ability to give what was needed with unconditional love. trftimes.com

She is survived by her daughters, Pam Cwikla of Thief River Falls and Beverly (Wayne) Torgerson of Warren; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; her brother, Lloyd (Mae) Arveson of Thief River Falls; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Alvina was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Alfred; her parents; brothers, Clifford (Luella), Verner (Mildred), and foster brother, Vernon Christianson; and son-in-law, Allan Cwikla. trftimes.com+1echovita.com+1

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, with Rev. Kristin Ostercamp officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m., on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to be made to Oakland Park Nursing Home or Zion Lutheran Church. trftimes.com+1echovita.com+1