Carole J. Hanson

Carole June (Belt) Hanson was born March 15, 1940 in Harlem, MT to George and Marguerite (Boe) Belt.  She was the first born of five children.  Carole attended school in Harlem from first grade through twelfth grade.  She graduated in 1958 as salutatorian of her class. During her high school years she participated in musical groups including a western band.  After graduating Carole worked for a short while at a credit union in Great Falls but soon returned to Harlem where she received a scholarship to Northern Montana College.  She enrolled as an English Major.  While in college she sang with the Northern Montana Singers and was in musical theatre.  During the 1963 school year she met John Hanson.  The couple was married on September 5, 1964 in the Presbyterian Church in College, Alaska.  Pastor Charles Jenkins officiated.

While living in Fairbanks Carole worked as an optometry assistant and John was a communication tech.  Their first child, Lisa, was born in June of 1966 at St. Joseph Hospital in Fairbanks.  By December of 1966 they had had enough of the constant daylight summers and the no sun winters. They decided to make a change. John transferred his federal services to Lewistown, MT. While in Lewistown Carole was a homemaker and was active in the First Baptist Church.  During the Lewistown tenure they were blessed with two more children, Eric Sean, who perished soon after being born, and Alrik Johnathan.

In 1971 the couple moved to Havre and in 1974 they started farming.  In 1975 they moved to Chester where Carole was active in church groups and founded the Chester Chapter of the Christians Women Club.  In 1980 they moved to the farm where Carole continued to sing for all sorts of different events like weddings, funerals, and community events.  I swear there was a time that Rockman Funeral Home had her on speed dial!

In September 2016 she told John that she didn’t want to be on the farm any more.  She wanted time for herself where she could write, paint, and do her music.  Carole moved to the Horizon Lodge in Conrad in September.  She passed away the morning of November 20, 2016.  May the Lord bless you and keep you.

She is preceded in death by her father, George Belt; mother, Marguerite Belt; and infant son, Eric Sean.

Survivors include husband, John; daughter, Lisa; son, Alrik; brothers, George and Daniel; sisters, Jackie and Sandra; grandchildren, Lacey, Loran, Eric, William, and Victoria; and 3 great grandsons.

Funeral services will be Saturday, November 26, at 10:00 AM at Galata Lutheran Church. A reception at church will follow service. Burial will take place in Harlem Cemetery after reception.