Alma Pearl Hanson

At a very lively 105 years of age, Alma Pearl Hanson passed away in Austin, TX on January 16, 2015. She was born on the family farm near Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska on December 4, 1909. Alma had two sisters: Alta May, her identical twin, and Alice Marie, older by three years.

Alma's father, Peter Petersen, a Danish immigrant, grew corn and oats and kept chickens, lambs, pigs and cows on their property. Her mother, Martha Lucinda Jorgensen, the daughter of Danish immigrants, spent her early years in New York before moving to Nebraska. She worked as a teacher before marrying Peter and then devoted herself to raising their family.

Throughout her life, Alma treasured the values she gained from her parents. She often repeated a lesson she learned about always telling the truth. When it was her turn to make sure that the cows were not straying, three-year old Alma told her mother she was watching them, but continued playing games. Her mother caught her in the lie when an annoyed neighbor called to report that the cows had wandered into his pasture. Alma then received the only spanking of her life and was given quiet time to think about the importance of honesty.

Alma remembered her mother as very understanding, encouraging and helpful, and Alma herself was happiest when helping others. In the patient, caring, individual attention she received at home from her mother, Alma found the model for her own effective teaching style.

She credited her father with her habit of punctuality, being on time if not ten minutes early. He also taught her financial responsibility. When Alma started teaching, Peter calculated the costs and covered her expenses for the first month. However, the money ran out after Alma bought a few extras for herself and her students. Presuming upon his paternal generosity, she drew a check on his account. But he didn't let her get away with it. He told her that she should not have spent the money. Alma said that when she received her first pay check, she had to pay the "old meanie" back. Alma adopted the discipline of frugality and even late in life would complain to the television if the price of an advertized product seemed exorbitant.

Alma walked to her one room elementary school where she and her twin enjoyed answering for each other. She earned certificates for excellence in spelling and for perfect attendance. She graduated from Cedar Bluffs High School in 1926 and majored in primary education at the Teachers' College at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. She then taught in the lower grades at elementary schools in Lisco, Beaver Crossing, Central City and Grand Island.

Alma was convinced that the ability to read was foundational to a child's success in education. She also wanted her students to learn proper grammar, to be polite, play safely and not hurt others.

Alma worked next as an area supervisor for the WPA and as a direct relief assistance administrator for Hall County, Nebraska. In 1940, when the U.S. Army opened a training base in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Alma took a job there as a recreation director. Then she went to Fort Warren, Wyoming as the director of the service club. When she returned to Fort Leonard Wood in 1942 as director of another club, she met and married William Hanson who had been drafted by the Army. The couple moved to the West Coast when Bill was assigned to Bend, Oregon. Their son, James, was born there in 1944. Service related transfers kept Alma and her son moving for the next few years. When Bill, a tech sergeant, returned from overseas, they went to Ft. Lewis, Washington. Teachers were needed, so Alma took night courses to become state certified and resumed her career in elementary education, teaching in DuPont, Olympia, Seattle and Lacey.

Alma's husband, Bill, taught Speech Therapy at St. Martin's College, founded by the Benedictines in Lacey, Washington. After he passed away in 1969, Alma continued teaching at the elementary and junior high levels in Lacey until 1977. Then she decided to move to Austin, Texas to be closer to her son, James, who was teaching theology at St. Edward's University as a Brother of Holy Cross.

Alma was proud of the fact that her mother, Martha, had marched for women's rights and had taught her daughters to always vote. The last thing this very independent widow needed to hear upon landing in Texas was that she "needed a man to open a bank account." Although she navigated through this affront, her first impressions of the "backward" state remained unforgotten and unforgiven.

Arriving in Austin at age 68, after spending half her life as an educator, Alma volunteered to teach reading at St. Ignatius Martyr School and at St. Mary Cathedral School.

Alma was interested in everything. Refusing "to be confined to the requirements of a master's degree," she took summer courses during her teaching career, studied U.S. government at St. Edward's University, and participated in Senior, Elderhostel and Lifelong Learning programs at the University of Texas. Alma was active for many years in the Travis County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

Eager to learn about other cultures, she explored the world, traveling to Russia, China, Australia, Europe and the Holy Lands. To get back to her roots, she traveled to Denmark. "I want to find out who I really am, how and why I react to activities in daily living."

Alma's desire to live life to the fullest was inspiring. She readily made friends and brought sparkling energy to any group. In her 90's she said, "I believe I can be as happy as I want to, because I am Mind, Body and Spirit. Mind controls how I feel. I have faith in God. I love life. Each age is different. Maybe I can't do as much physically, but I can still learn."

Nothing energized Alma more than contact with students. She wanted to pass on her love of learning, to open the world to them, to see them succeed. To this end, she provided tuition and scholarships for students at St. Edward's University, and lived for many years near campus so that she could spend time with students and share in educational and social opportunities. If there was a lecture, symposium, musical performance, church service or good fellowship on offer, Alma was there.

Alma attributed her longevity to strong determination, healthy choices, and avoiding doctors as much as possible. To her last days at Brookdale Westgate Hills in Austin, TX, she was an enthusiastic participant in the programmed activities.

Alma's twin, Alta, passed away in 1983, and her elder sister, Alice Osterloh, passed away in 2006. Alma is survived by her son, Brother James Hanson, founder of Los Hermanos de Juan Diego; her niece, Janice Edelmaier of Watsonville, California; her nephew, Warren Osterloh of Atlanta, Georgia; her adopted family of Samir and Faten Ashrawi of the Woodlands, Texas; her many sons among the Brothers of Holy Cross; her grandchildren in the Juan Diego community; many friends, and the St. Edward's University family.

At Alma's request, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alma Hanson Annual Scholarship Fund at St. Edward's University, 3001 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704. Please contact Anne Westdyke at 512-492-3147 or anneew@stedwards.edu for more information.

Services will be held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel at St. Edward's University, where Alma participated regularly for as long she was able. The wake service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 19, and the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20. Interment will be at Assumption Cemetery.