Betty Hanna

Betty Hanna, age 87, of Canby, Minn., passed away on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, at The Little House, leaving the loving embrace of her daughter to enter God’s kingdom after a brief struggle with heart failure. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15, at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Levi Bollerud officiating. Visitation will be Sunday one hour prior to the service at the church. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Canby is entrusted with the arrangements.
On May 7, 1938, Betty Louise Frandson was born on the kitchen table of her parents’ home in Verona, N.D. Her proud parents were Louis and Bertha (Miller) Frandson. Betty was blessed to grow up with two very witty and loving little brothers, Gary and Wally.
Betty graduated from Verona High School in 1956 and later went on to graduate from Valley City State Teachers College. Her first teaching experience was with students in grades K-8 at a one room school house in rural North Dakota.
On Dec. 26, 1958, Betty married the love of her life, Gary Hanna, in an evening candlelight wedding ceremony. It was the beginning of their 59 years of adventure together. They lived in Baltimore, Md., while Gary served in the military. Betty was the organist for the army base cathedral and was transported to church every Sunday in the General’s limousine. Their first daughter, Victoria, was born in Maryland in 1960. After Gary accepted a teaching job, they moved to Canby, sight unseen! They stopped by the local market and asked if there were houses to rent in Canby and one of the locals lead them to their first home on St. Olaf Avenue. Their second daughter, Tahlie, arrived in 1961. Their third daughter, Meghan, came along in 1966.
In 1968, Betty became employed with ISD #891 at Canby Elementary School where she taught for the next 30 years. She found her home teaching third grade. She loved students at this age as they were still “kids” who loved learning to read, write in cursive and had a genuine enthusiasm for school. Her favorite subject to teach was art, and her classroom was always filled with wonderfully creative projects - like her legendary tissue paper flowers. Betty was awarded Teacher of the Year before her retirement.
Betty had a lifelong passion for community service. As part of the Canby Federated Women’s Club, they designed and created Triangle Park campground and other small patio parks in Canby. Betty also played an instrumental role in the restoration of the historic Lund-Hoel House Museum (MECCA) as part of a team that refurbished and brought the entire home back to its original condition. Betty was the primary docent and gave hundreds of museum tours to local students and families as well as the out-of-town guests passing through. She was a wealth of information and loved to tell the stories of Canby’s founders and how the museum came to be. You can still find one of Betty’s tours on YouTube and hear of  the house’s history directly from her. Betty orchestrated the annual fundraising Ice Cream Social for many years.
The Presbyterian Church was dear to Betty. As a member for nearly 50 years, she served in various roles but found her strong suit on the hospitality committee. If there was an event within the church, you could feel assured that it would be well thought out and as elegant as possible. Betty’s attention to detail and all the “little extras” made everyone feel welcome and delighted.
Betty loved her Birthday Club parties, the Bridge Club get-togethers and Book Club discussions – all opportunities to gather with her dear friends and share in conversation, good food and hot coffee.
In 1997, Betty and Gary moved into their newly built home which she had designed and decorated. After a lot of sweat equity put into the project, they had the home of their dreams to share for the next many years. Betty loved spending time with Gary working on their lawn and creating beautiful gardens together. They loved to travel the world and had been to all 50 states. They were truly an inseparable pair and rarely did one go somewhere without the other.
Betty was an artist and a musician at heart – her home was filled with beautiful paintings she created over the years. There was always music of some sort – records, radio, piano and organ - that could be heard late into the night. Betty taught piano lessons to many kids over the years.
Bringing Betty happiness after Gary’s passing in 2018 were her grandkids and especially her great-grandkids. She looked forward to visits to Arizona to see Kinsley and Daxton. She loved to do things with them, like play in the sand, even when it wasn’t easy for her. She felt such a connection to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and held such pride and admiration in their every accomplishment.
Betty moved to The Little House for the last year and half of her precious life. There, she found joy in the beautiful views, the farm kitties, the sunrise and sunsets, wonderful lush gardens, and peaceful days with friends who cared for all her needs. A very special thank you to Carla Henningsgaard and her team of caregivers who gave our mom’s life a little more laughter and love.
A special thank you to Sanford Hospice of Canby – especially Brenda, Sam and Cindy – who stood by Betty and her family through the final days.
Betty is survived by her daughters: Victoria Hanna of Fergus Falls, Minn.; Tahlie and Jack Peterson of Cave Creek, Ariz.; and Meghan and Gary Olsen of Canby. Her wonderful grandchildren: Ross and Stephanie Peterson of Parkville, Mo.; Kelcey and Jacob Roszko of Tucson, Ariz.; and Abigail Hanna of Fergus Falls. Her great-grandchildren who were the lights of her life: Kinsley (8) and Daxton (6) Roszko of Tucson. Her brothers, Gary and Mary Frandson, and Wally and Diane Frandson; brother-in-law, James Bradley Hanna; sister-in-law, Linda Hanna; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Preceding Betty into heaven is her beloved husband, Gary; her parents, Louis and Bertha Frandson; her father/mother-in-law: Glenn and Viola Hanna; sisters-in-law: Agnes Hanna, Janet Hanna, and Sharon Howe; brothers-in-law,  George Hanna and Loren Howe.
Mom, you are beloved and greatly missed.
Donations to honor the memory of Betty can be made to the Blue and Gold Foundation or Sanford Canby Hospice.