Mary Hanten

Pat, age 77, formerly of New Brighton and Eden Prairie, died January 1st, 2012 in Walker, Minnesota. She spent her last year with her children and grandchildren spending time at the lake, and died surrounded by her family. Preceded in death by parents, Harry and Anne Woodhouse of Detroit Lakes, and Nick Hanten, husband of forty-one years. Survived by children, Kathy Scott (Gym), Mary Albitz (David), Stephen, Susan Morris (Andrew), and David (Kristin Wilson). Grandchildren, Annie, Gabby, and Sarah Scott, Max and Effie Albitz, Kyle Dvorak, Hannah and George Morris, Jack, Greta, and Nick Hanten. Also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Irene Hanten, Ollie and Lorraine Hanten, Arlene Hanten, Dee Hanten, Irene Ryan, Sue and Mike Kerrick, and Loyola Myers, as well as many nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in New Brighton on Friday, January 6th at 11:00 AM. Visitation prior to Mass at 9:30 AM. Memorials to Catholic Charities or May Creek Memory Care Cottages, P.O. Box 530
 Walker, MN 56484.

Mary Patricia Hanten was born on March 19th, 1934 in Des Moines, Iowa. Her parents, Harry and Anna Woodhouse, were Canadian immigrants to the US who adopted Pat when they were 50 years old. She grew up on the shores of "big" Detroit Lake in northern Minnesota. Harry and Anna ran a hotel and souvenir shop across from the public beach and Pat spent her summers working at the hotel and relaxing with friends. She was the valedictorian of the Detroit Lakes High School class of 1952. Pat met Nick Hanten at Creighton University in 1954; they graduated together in 1956 with teaching degrees, and they married a year later. She taught for one year in Eveleth, MN. She went on to have five children and stayed home to raise them, baking some kind of treat every day. She was determined to have a large family because she had been an only child. She later went back to Metro State and earned a Social Work degree, then worked for Ebenezer Tower for many years. She supported Nick during his seminary work to become an ordained Deacon of the Catholic Church and remained involved with the Diaconate community, following Nick's death in 1998. Pat enjoyed many hobbies including playing bridge, crossword puzzles, travel, and entertaining her many friends and neighbors throughout the years. She then moved to Edina and Eden Prairie to be nearer her children and 11 grandchildren. She was an enthusiastic babysitter and amateur physician, helping out with whatever was needed. She had many health problems in the last decade of her life. She moved to assisted living in Walker MN so she could spend time with her family at the lake. She broke her hip October 18th and after two surgeries failed to recover. She died on January 1st, 2012, we are certain after saying to herself, "I just need to get through the holidays."