• Services for Carole Hanson, 68, of Groton will be 1 p.m., Monday, October 1 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Groton.  The Rev. Craig Grams will officiate.  Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen.
• Carole died September 28, 2012 at Avera St. Luke's Hospital, Aberdeen.
• Carole Lorine Thurston was born on December 8, 1943 in Aberdeen to Lyle and Volley (Newman) Thurston.  She attended country school through the eighth grade and was the only child in her grade, during those years.  Carole later attended Groton High

School.  She trained to be a beautician near Freeman.  She later returned to Groton and styled hair at Adam and Eve salon. She also worked at Control Data, Banner Engineering and Teddy Bear Daycare.  On September 11, 1987, she united in marriage with Merle Hanson. 
• Carole, also known as Cookie, was a lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church and had been active in the ladies circle group.  In her younger years, she enjoyed spending time at the lake and riding horses.  Cookie liked to go on walks with her dog, Phoebe.  She also enjoyed going to coffee with her friends, gardening, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.  Cookie will be forever remembered for her caring and compassionate nature.
• Celebrating her life through memories is her husband, Merle, her children, Kevin (Michell) Knoll of Sioux Falls; Amy (Tal) Harris of Eagan, Minnesota; Crystal (Loren) Wheeler of Sioux Falls; Marc (Tammie) Hanson of Groton; Julie (Tom) Hudnall of Austin, Texas; Dr. Ty (Ann) Hanson of Aberdeen and her grandchildren: Blake Harris, Paige Harris, Amanda Wheeler, Haley Wheeler, Mitchel (Tyneille) Hanson and Connor Hanson; great-grandchildren: Tatum & Cash Hanson and her brother, Steve (Nancy Larson) Thurston of Groton.
• Preceding her in death were her parents.
• Casketbearers will be Jon Anderson, Doug Craig, Bob Gibbs, Dennis K. Larson, Ty Hanson and Blake Harris.