Mona Marie (Burk) Hanson

In the early hours of July 12, 2017, at the Genesis, Whitefish Care Center, Mona Marie Hanson "went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Mona was born on May 5, 1921 just ten miles west of Whitefish, Montana to Gilbert Emerson Burk and Lena Jane Burk (Talbot).  She was a "Montana Girl" who lived her entire life in the northwest.  There was no desire to see the world... her world was Montana.

Mona attended grade school in Olney and Whitefish, never completing her high school education.  Mona was married to her first husband, James M. Presnell  from 1937 until his death in 1950.  Six children; Myrna, Roger, Richard, Joan, Judy and Kelly were born of this marriage.  In 1972, she met and married Harvey A. Hanson, who had two children, Brenda and Gary.  Mona and Harvey were both lovers of the Montana outdoors, enjoying  over forty years of fishing, hunting, camping and berry picking together.

Mona was always creating things, beautiful ceramics hand painted, rock creations, some with a bit of the "Blarney Stone" mixed in to the end result. Harvey, in his treks through the wilderness, was always collecting stones for her to work with.  Their home was always full of guests, friends and relatives, none of whom ever left without a satisfying home cooked meal.  A friendly card game was never far away at any gathering.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother,  Gilbert and Lena Burk; her brother Gilbert (Gib)Burk and his wife Enid, brother Albert Burk, brother Ted Burk and his wife Louise, brother Bill Burk, brother James Burk; sister Clara Graves and her husband Frank; and sister Betty Overby; daughter Myrna Presnell, and grandson Travis Presnell.

Mona is survived by Harvey Hanson, her Husband of 45 years, their children Brenda and her husband Roger Blizzard of Spokane; son Gary  Hanson of Whitefish, son Roger Presnell and his wife Arletta of  Eureka, son Richard Presnell of Kalispell, daughter Joan Young and her husband Dennis of Kalispell, daughter Judy Klein of Tucson, daughter Kelly Harold of Kalispell; brother-in-law Stan Hanson of Whitefish; sister-in-law, Norma Burk of Olney, sister-in-law Vera Burk of Whitefish, sister-in-law Karen Burk of Helena;  16 grand children; 25 great grand children and 7 great great grand children and countless nieces and nephews.

The Hanson family would like to thank the entire staff of Genesis, Whitefish Care Center for the loving care they provided during the family's time of need.

Funeral services will be held at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Hwy 93 North in Eureka, Montana; on Monday, July 17, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. with the Reverend Chris Tabbert officiating.  Viewing will be held at this same location between 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Cremation will follow the services, with inurnment at the Tobacco Valley Cemetery at a later date.  Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Homes of Eureka and Libby, Montana are caring for the family.  Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.