On March 21, 2026, the unbelievably strong, feisty, stubborn, but also remarkably charming, Marlys Marie (Offner) Hanson, 86, of Fargo, ND, decided the time for her to rest had arrived, exactly 11 years after the passing of her beloved husband, Marlin Duane ("Bud") Hanson. Marlys was born on September 30, 1939, in Valley City, ND to Richard and Lucille (Rumer) Offner. The elder of two daughters, Marlys spent her childhood on the family farm near Courtenay, ND. She developed her incredible work ethic by helping with the labor, and frequently lamented about landscapes with large rocks, having picked so many of them from the fields in her youth. Her childhood horse, Darby, helped her to develop her insurmountable determination by challenging her to control him when he grabbed his bit, raced home, and ran into the barn through partially closed doors.

While in high school, Marlys attended a roller dancing competition in Spiritwood, and she met the love of her life, Marlin Duane ("Bud") Hanson. He won the competition with his partner, but he won a better trophy by meeting Marlys. The couple united in marriage in Carrington on November 10, 1957. Both loved children, and Marlin and Marlys were soon joined by Mark, Marcie, Monte, Michael, and Mindy. The family lived in Carrington until the early 1970s, when they moved to Grafton and started Hanson Construction.

Bud operated the business, but Marlys maintained the books for the business and helped out on job sites when necessary. She did this in addition to her full-time employment, first with the Credit Bureau, then with Walsh County Social Services, and fulfilling the responsibilities of raising five children. Bud and Marlys enjoyed participating in Grafton's bowling leagues until they sold the business and moved to Fargo in 1989. Bud retired due to his health at that time, but Marlys began her employment as an eligibility worker with Cass County Social Services. She remained there until approximately 2000, when she also retired.

Upon her retirement, Marlys devoted herself to caring for Bud full time as dementia, diabetes, strokes, and Parkinson's slowly took him away. Those conditions found a formidable foe in Marlys though. When physical therapists told her Bud was not going to walk again, Marlys was determined to "show them," so she took him home and helped him with therapy herself. Bud did walk again, but he eventually lost the ability to walk or transfer himself. Marlys, the tiny and determined German, maneuvered him with a Hoyer lift multiple times every day. When she was diagnosed with lung cancer, she declined surgery because it would have left her unable to care for Bud. While undergoing radiation and chemotherapy, she still insisted on caring for him on her own. She "showed cancer" too and lived for decades in remission.

Ever the caregiver, after Bud's passing, Marlys remained devoted to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and their adorable Westie, Charlie. When in the nursing home, and then in assisted living, Marlys continued to make sure that those more vulnerable had the attention they needed and provided treats to any visiting canines. Those who knew her often called her "a fighter" and "the strongest person they had ever known." She remained sharp as a tack and witty until COPD forced her to take her last breath.

Marlys was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Marlin; her parents; Richard and Lucille (Rumer) Offner; her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Darlene (Hanson) and James Hewitt and Diane (Hanson) and Alvin Soma; her daughter-in-law, Gail Martinson; and her niece, Lorrie Hewitt. She is survived by her children, Mark (Marge) Hanson of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Marcie (Tom) Quinn of Davie, Florida, Monte (Gail Martinson) of Grafton, North Dakota, Michael (Stephanie) Hanson of Moorhead, Minnesota, and Melinda (Bryan) Weerts of Ulen, Minnesota; and sister, Darlene Jones of Mankato, Minnesota. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.