Nordis (Fosnes) Riehl Hanson, 76

Nordis (Fosnes) Riehl Hanson passed away March 11, 2006, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

She was born to Alvilda and Olaf Fosnes in Landa, N.D., on April 24, 1929.

During the Depression, the family lived in North Dakota and in Washington. They finally settled in Columbia Falls where she attended school. She was very proud of her Norwegian heritage and had a keen sense of humor.

Nordis began her career as a telephone operator in Kalispell and then moved to Seattle where she continued her work in the phone department's fraud section until her retirement.

She moved back to Kalispell in 1983 with her family. She enjoyed being around her family and friends, especially her grandchildren. They were her pride and joy.

For a brief time she worked for the Flathead County Agency on Aging.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Evelyn Glover; husbands, Dan Riehl and Peter Hanson; and a sister in infancy.

Surviving her are her three children, Taku Hanson and his wife, Brenda, and their son T.J., Traci McKessick and children, Johnny and his wife, Cindy, Kory, and Kylie, and Holly Short and children, Kolt and Paige; and stepdaughter, Sharon, and family. Her extended family includes her niece, Wanita (Glover) Smith and her husband, Larry, and their son, Leon; nephew, Ray Glover, M.D., and wife, Pam; and numerous relatives in Alaska and North Dakota.

No services are planned at this time.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.