Bernadean Hanson

Bernadean Aardal Hanson Camarillo, CA Bernadean Aardal Hanson, 87, passed away September 15, 2011 at the home of her son in Camarillo, CA. She was born on November 15, 1923 to Daniel B. and Mabel Olson Aardal in Starkweather, ND, the 4th of 7 children. Her family moved to Amarillo, Texas where she spent her junior high and high school years. She described herself as a “tomboy” as a child because she loved playing games outdoors with her 5 brothers. She met William H. Hanson, a Naval officer, in Seattle while she was working for the Navy. They married on April 21, 1946. Shortly after they married, Bill and Bernadean purchased a share of ownership in a salmon cannery in Ugashik on the Alaska Peninsula. They spent several summers with Bill helping run the cannery and Bernadean cooking for the crew. Four of Bernadean's brothers also worked with them. They enjoyed sharing stories of their adventures during those years. They made their home in Los Angeles for a short time and then in Downey, CA where they raised their family, a son Kenneth Endicott Hanson and a daughter Patricia Hanson Munk. Along with raising her children, Bernadean was very active in the community through PTA, Downey Women's Club, League of Women Voters, AAUW, and Christ Lutheran Church. She earned her real estate broker's license and sold real estate for several years. And because she never had the opportunity to go to college after high school, she earned her Bachelors Degree in History with a minor in French from Cal State Los Angeles, graduating in 1969, the year that her daughter graduated high school. She taught and substituted in high school for a brief time. Later she spent several years helping her husband with a small manufacturing business he started. Following retirement in1980, they moved to a home in Bonsall, CA, which they had built in 1978. Bernadean continued to live there several years after the death of her husband in 1982. She was active in the Bonsall Women's Club and BARC (Bonsall Area for a Rural Community). In 1989 Bernadean and her sister moved to Corvallis where she built a house next door to her daughter's family. She became an active member of the Newcomers Club and took numerous classes in OSU's Lifelong Learning Program. In her last years she had the opportunity to live for a couple years in each of several locations – a condominium by the beach at Port Hueneme, CA; with her daughter and son-in-law in Parkdale, OR; in retirement facilities in Hood River, OR and Camarillo, CA; and finally with her son and his family in Camarillo, CA. She had a good personality, was fun to be around and was well liked by everyone. She was a positive person who could laugh at herself and who presented a cheerful side no matter how trying a situation might be. Bernadean enjoyed playing bridge, gardening, reading, discussing politics and current events, and traveling. But her greatest love was her family. She delighted in family vacations and trips to the beach with her children and later with her grandchildren. She was a great mom and friend and a wonderful grandmother. We already miss her. Bernadean is survived by her son Kenneth (Mardene) Hanson of Camarillo, CA; her daughter Patricia (William) Munk of Parkdale, OR; and 8 grandchildren: Christine (Mark) Patton, Holly Hanson, Erica (Chris) Jensen, Robert Hanson; Joshua Munk, Joseph (Amanda) Munk, James (Lauren) Munk, and Jonathan Munk. She is also survived by her cousin Robert (Diane) Reando of Santa Ana, CA, numerous nieces and nephews and several lifelong close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings: brothers Bertel, Oliver, Earl, Wesley and Raymond Aardal and her dear sister Donna Mae Titus. Bernadean wished to be cremated and her remains will be interred next to her husband's remains at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, CA. Arrangements are under the direction of Perez Family Funeral Home in Camarillo, CA. Memorial contributions can be made to Buena Vista Hospice Care, 143 Triunfo Canyon Road #103, Westlake Village, CA 91361.