Sara V. Hanson

Monona/Verona - Sara Hanson, age 87, passed away peacefully on Oct. 25, 2009.  She was born Nov. 9, 1921 in Fond du Lac, WI, to William and Edith Geisthardt.   Sara taught school for many years in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oregon, and on Air Force bases in Newfoundland, and Spain. In 1962 she married Norman A. Hanson of Madison. They resided in Monona, WI, where she retired from teaching.  Sara and Norman enjoyed their many travels together in Europe and the Far East.   Sara enjoyed reading, reciting poetry, listening to and playing music.  She was also an avid sports fan.   Sara was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison. Sara was a long-time resident of Four Winds Manor in Verona, WI. For the past few months she was also under the loving care of Hospice Care, Inc.   She is survived by a brother, Gerald (Alice) Geisthardt, sisters, Marjorie Marquart, Sylvia Ryan, and Marion Holz, brother-in-law, Richard Harris, sisters-in-law, Bea and Beatrice Geisthardt, numerous nephews and nieces. Her ""extended family"" included the warm and caring staff of Four Winds Manor, and her dear friend,Jean Kasten.     Sara was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, brothers Elton, Rolland, and Calvin Geisthardt; sisters Ruth Day and Ruby Harris, brothers-in-law Vernon Marquart, Donald Ryan, Robert Day, and Arthur Holz; sisters-in-law, Millicent and Jane Geisthardt.    Funeral services will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Rd., Madison, on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend John O. Swanson officiating.   A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday from 12 Noon until the time of services.   Graveside services will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.     In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to HospiceCare, Inc., 3695 E. Cheryl Pkwy., Madison, WI   53711 or Bethel Lutheran Church Care Ministry Program, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, WI 53703.  
Cress Funeral and Cremation Service