Denise Dorothy Hanson

Denise D. Hanson, age 54, of Canby, Minnesota, passed away Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, at her home in Canby. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Canby with Rev. Levi Bollerud officiating. Burial will be in the Canby City Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, Oct. 16, from 5-7 p.m. with  a Prayer Service at 7 p.m. at Houseman Funeral Hom, Birk Chapel in Canby. It will resume one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in entrusted with the arrangements.
Denise Dorothy Hanson was born on Feb. 13, 1971, in Canby, to Marnell Pederson. In 1975, Marnell married Robert Hanson, and shortly after their marriage, Robert adopted Denise. She was baptized at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Canby. She attended school in Canby, graduating in 1989. Following graduation, she went to community college in Willmar, Minnesota. She then returned to Canby and worked various jobs, including the nursing home, several group homes and home health care. Most recently, she drove a bus for Prairie Five Rides. During her time at Prairie Five the thing she enjoyed most was transporting all of the young children of Canby, and they looked forward to seeing her just as much as she looked forward to seeing them. She worked there until March 2025 when she was hospitalized after suffering a stroke. 
Denise was very active in the community, serving on the city council for a number of years, the board of the MECCA House and supporting her young family members at Canby Lancer sports activities and events. 
Denise will be best remembered by her family and friends for her big, caring heart and her quick wit and sense of humor. She was always willing to do anything for anyone and was always keeping everyone laughing. 
The most important thing to Denise was spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed her yearly girls trips with all of her lifelong friends, any family gathering or event and entertaining all of her friends and family with her Facebook memes. She was especially proud of her three beloved godchildren, Adam, Samantha and Carter. Denise will be missed by many.
Grateful for having shared her life are her godchildren: Adam Evanson, Samantha Groenhoff and Carter Groenhoff; her two “aunts”: Marla (Perry) Groenhoff and Sheryl (Drew) Simonton and their families; as well as all her other family members and dear friends. 
Denise was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Marnell; her brother, Michael; and both maternal and paternal grandparents. 
Blessed be her memory.