Date of Birth:
Friday, December 26, 1924
Date of Death:
Monday, February 10, 2025
Age:
100 years old

Eda “Julie” Hanson

Eda “Julie” Hanson of Rochester, peacefully passed away on February 10, 2025 at the age of 100. She was born December 26, 1924 in Hurley, WI., the youngest child of James and Dominica Giuliano. She attended Hurley High School, was a cheerleader for all the high school sports and class valedictorian.

Julie graduated in 1942 and promptly entered St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Rochester from which she graduated in 1946. She specialized in operating room nursing and after her marriage, continued her nursing career as a part time private duty nurse — and lots of people wanted her to be their nurse!

She married the love of her life, John R. (Johnny) Hanson, in Rochester on April 19, 1947 and had two children; Susan (Gentling) and Sally (Carlson). Her life revolved around her family, friends and nursing career and she was “all in” for each of these key elements on her life’s journey.

Julie loved roller and ice skating, sewing, knitting, cooking and playing cards, but her passion for golf soon took on the main consumption of her “free” time and, like everything else she did, she was focused on playing and providing an opportunity for others to play. When a local golf course (Northern Hills) opened in 1977, she and a dear friend, Dee Smith, organized a women’s golf league and initiated the first “Tri Club” tournament between the women’s golf leagues of the other two community golf courses, an event that continues to this day. Julie was the local representative to the MN Women’s Public Golf Association for 15 years and a key contributor to/planner of numerous golfing events in the Rochester area. A general consensus among the ladies is that if you wanted an event well organized — “just call Julie!” And that didn’t just pertain to golf.

Following her husband’s retirement from IBM in 1979, they traveled to Texas seeking warmer weather (and golf) during the winter months. They purchased a condo on a golf course in Mission, TX and were blessed with a number of new friends and new opportunities. Julie became the president of the local Home Owners Association (naturally) and made sure “everything was running like a finely tuned watch.”

Her husband died in 2004 and Julie returned to being a “full time” Minnesotan in 2018.

Julie is survived by her daughters: Susan (Steven Gentling) of Guthrie, OK and Sally Carlson of Eau Claire, WI. Julie had 5 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

Julie is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, 3 brothers and 2 sisters and a son-in-law.

The family wishes to thank the staff at The Homestead and Mayo Hospice for their excellent and loving care of our mother.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Julie’s name to: Mayo Clinic Hospice or First Tee, Rochester, Minnesota.

A Celebration of Life will be held June 6, 2025 at 11am in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester with visitation preceding at 10am. Julie requested that bright colors be worn at this celebration.