Mary Jean (Loll) Hanson a resident of Merritt (Deadwood, South Dakota) died Friday, October 20, 2023, at her family home following a brief illness surrounded by family.

Mary was born on January 22, 1930, in Wykoff, Minnesota to parents Carl and Zeta Loll, the oldest of eight children. She attended school in Wykoff from Kindergarten thru High School, graduating in 1948.

She was employed by Mayo Clinic/St. Mary's Hospital in the pathology lab, Shamrock In-Home Nursing and Rochester Montessori School. It was in this last position she was known by children and their parents as "Grama Mary".

Even at 93 years young, her ability to engage everyone she came in contact with and her concise memory of her family and life's adventures was always to be treasured. In her final years, after the death of her husband, she moved to South Dakota with her family that had a wonderful little Pizza and Pub, she was seen talking to all that came in, exchanging stories of the "Good Ole Days" and was referred to as Grama Mary.

Her passions included, but never limited to reading, word games and never turned down a friendly card game. She enjoyed many "road trips" with her sister, Janice, daughters, Chris and Cori and granddaughter, Erika. She loved new adventures and then would spend great time researching the history of where she had been.

She is survived by her daughter – Chris Livingston (Merritt, SD), two sisters – Janice Loll (Bloomington, MN) and Cathy (Merle) Shearer (Salinas, CA), two granddaughters – Erika (Hobby) Thomas (Merritt, SD) and Chelsea (Ruark) Kallinen (Rochester, MN), four grandsons – John Arachikavitz (Merritt, SD), Nathan (Amber) Arachikavitz (Lakeland Shores, MN), Chad Hanson (Custer, SD), and Byran Lucchi (Fall River, Mass), four great granddaughters – Isis, Aja, Luka, and Ruby and two great grandsons – Zennin and Jadon. She also had many cousins and family members that regularly reached out to her as well as some friends who had totally adopted her as Mom, Aunty, and Grama.

She was preceded in death by her husband – Don, two brothers - William and Carl Loll, three sisters - Helen Schwartz, Joan Reynolds, and Eileen Melancon, one daughter - Corrine Skare, and two sons - Carey and Craig Hanson.

At her request she was cremated, and no funeral/memorial service is planned. A private "Celebration of Life" will be held later by the family.

The family wishes to express our heartfelt appreciation to Hospice Services for their compassion and attention to every detail during her illness. Special thanks to all that visited her regularly.

It is with great joy and peace that Mary is with our Savior and King Jesus Christ!!