Ludie Hanson

Ludie M. Hanson, 86, of Waukegan, died on Thursday, July 12, 2007, at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan. She was born May 13, 1921 in Barnesville, Alabama, the second of eight children in the loving home of Sherman and Ophelia Sanderson. As a child she attended public schools in the Hamilton, Alabama area and worked the family farm with her parents and sblings. At the outbreak of World War II, Ludie traveled with her father to Mobile, Alabama and served in the spirit of "Rosie the Riveter" while working in the shipyards of Mobile in the war effort. Her dutied initially were in the mailroom of the facility, but she quickly learned the art of welding and worked on many of the merchant and Navy vessels in port for service. She vividly recalled, on several occasions, the destruction and damage sustained on vessels that were there for repairs as a result of enemy submarine activity. During the war Ludie married her boyfriend, Jessie L. Hanson, while he was home on leave from the Army Air Corps. Shortly after their marriage, Mr. Hanson returned to duty in England and served there until the conclusion of the war in Europe. After the war Ludie and Jessie relocated to Zion, Illinois and Jessie took work in a local manufacturing firm. His employment with American Motors Corporation in Kenosha, Wisconsin followed soon after. In the 1950's, Ludie took employment in various positions in manufacturing in the Zion and Waukegan area, while maintaining a home for her two sons, Delwin and Keith. Ludie also was active in local politics and worked as an election judge in lake County, Illinois. Mrs. Hanson retired from the Veterans Administration Hospital in 1986 and while retired enjoyed her favorite past time of quilting and sewing. She frequently presented quilts of her own design to family and friends as gifts. Ludie was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church of Waukegan and enjoyed worshiping with her members prior to her illness. Ludie is survived by two children Delwin (Linda) Hanson of Sacramento, California and Keith Hanson of Waukegan; a sister Drew (Ben) Jajoka of Sturgis, Michigan; a brother Granville (Virginia) Sanderson of Hamilton, Alabama; three grandchildren Eric Hanson of San Francisco, California, Christopher Hanson of Sacramento, California and Christina (David) Bawcum of Gurnee, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her husband Jessie Hanson; her parents Sherman Sanderson and Ophelia Knight; sisters Trudy Price, Trixie Ossowski, Dixie Reynolds and Marie Lindsey; and one brother James (Buell) Sanderson. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 18, 2007, from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. at the CONGDON FUNERAL HOME, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at the Congdon Funeral Home with Pastor Tim Hartford of First Southern Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion.