Martha Marie Hand

MARTHA MARIE HAND July 29th, 1934 – May 4th, 2018    Martha Marie Hand, 83, of Osage, MN, formerly of Minneapolis and Ponsford, MN peacefully died on Friday, May 4, 2018 to be raised in the first resurrection to live eternally in the coming kingdom.    Marie was born on July 29th, 1934 in Casselton, ND to Chris and Martha (Lehrke) Christianson. In the mid-1930’s, her family moved to a productive farm on the Ponsford Prairie north of Ponsford. She attended the Bongo Country School near her parent’s farm through the eighth grade and then went on to attend High School in Park Rapids, graduating with the class of 1952. As a young woman, Marie ventured to Minneapolis and found employment during the day while attending Business School at night studying to become a legal secretary. After her graduation, Marie gained employment working for the Soo Line & Great Northern Railroad as a legal secretary. On July 3rd, 1959, Marie was united in marriage to Robert Walter Hand in St. Paul, MN. They were blessed with three children: Paul, John and Mary. Marie left her job with the railroad to devote herself to making a loving home for her husband and children. She was a wonderful cook and baker and enjoyed spending many hours sewing clothes for her young family. In addition, Marie enjoyed working with her husband in designing and helping with the building and remodeling of the numerous homes and building projects they were involved with over the years. After raising her children, Marie resumed her career as a legal secretary for the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and later for the law firm of Fredrickson & Byron P.A. The Hand family made their first home in South Minneapolis in a newly purchased double bungalow. In 1965, they purchased 7 ½ acres of land near Hamel, MN where they designed and built a new home. In 1970, they designed and built a new home in southwest Mpls. and in 1975 they built a new home just a block away where they resided until 1997 when Marie and Bob retired to their home on Straight Lake near Osage, MN. In her spare time Marie loved to sing in the church choir and had been a soloist at many functions. She always enjoyed to cook for and entertain family and friends. She also loved to fish with Bob on their pontoon on their beloved Straight Lake. Above all, Marie devoted her life to her husband, her children and grandchildren who she loved with all her heart.    She will be lovingly remembered by her husband for these past 60 years, Robert; her two sons: Paul Hand of Minneapolis and John (Saronna) Hand of Georgetown, TX and her daughter, Mary (Kevin) Cann of California; three grandchildren: Jacob Hand, Samantha Hand and Jessica Hand; four great grandchildren; her sister, Cleo Natvig of West Fargo, ND as well as numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.    Marie was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers: Walter, Glen, Kent and Clayton and one nephew, Butch.       Funeral services will be held 2 PM Monday, May 14, 2018 at the Grace Community Church in Osage, MN with Rev. Paul McKibben and Marie’s husband, Robert Hand a certified Biblicist, officiating. Interment will be made in the Riverside Cemetery of Osage. Her casketbearers will be: David Christianson, Dennis Christianson, Dean Christianson, Doug Christianson, Andy Aho and Jeremy Aho. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM Sunday, May 13th at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and will continue at the church on Monday beginning one hour prior to the service. Following the service a luncheon will be provided by the Grace Community Church family. To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com