Solveig DeNora Spears

Spears, Solveig DeNora (Hanson) 91, of New Brighton, Mn and Sioux Rapids, Iowa, died peacefully Tuesday morning December 10, 2024.

Solveig was born May 25, 1933 at the Hanson family farm in Sioux Rapids where she says, with a twinkle in her eye, that when chores were pressing she would jump on her horse and ride away. She attended Waldorf College and Louisiana State University focusing on music and dance. Her adventurous spirit led her to Colorado, Texas and Louisiana where she met Murray Spears. They married and raised 3 daughters.

Solveig was a fun, spirited, adventurous, creative and kind person with a great sense of humor and endless curiosity. She treasured her early farm life and extended family that instilled a love of music and hard work in her. She liked travel including a backpack trip to Norway to visit her family roots. Solveig loved New Orleans spending a lot of time there and even singing with Les Brown and his band while attending college in Baton Rouge. In later years she created her own eclectic patio, dubbed the “French Garden”, at her beloved lake home where she spent many happy hours with friends and family singing and enjoying life to the fullest. She could stretch a dime farther than anyone and loved fixing and building things - always with recycled materials. She was a fixture in her neighborhood frequently seen riding her scooter and chatting with people along the way. People who knew her were never surprised to see her scoot down the street with a load of scavenged lumber to build her next project: log cabin, screen house, brick patios, extra bedroom, decks and more. She taught us that nothing is too difficult - you just need a willingness to try.

Solveig had a quick smile, a sparkle in her eye and a presence that lit up every room. She will be greatly missed by family and friends. In Solveig's memory take a kid fishing, sing, dance and live life your way.  

She was preceded in death by parents Archie Hanson and Ruth (Christianson), special Aunt Minnie Hanson, sisters Nola Hindemith and Diane Haburn. Solveig is survived by daughters Ginger (Mike) Hughes, Tammi (Dave) Kolasa, and Cindy Spears; grandsons Michael (Samantha) Hughes, Steven (Kallie) Hughes, James Hughes, Justin Cornish and great-grandchildren Rowan, Stella, Lilia and Oliver. She is also survived by sister Gayla Sorenson and many loving and cherished nieces and nephews.

Celebrations of her life will be held in both New Brighton Minnesota and in Sioux Rapids Iowa. On June 7, a casual open house will be held in New Brighton, On June 13 a memorial service, burial at Lone Tree Cemetery and luncheon will be held in Sioux Rapids Iowa. The family wishes to thank the kind care teams at St. Johns Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations to Seasons Accent Foundation Hospice Care or the charity of your choice is preferred.