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Promoted to Glory
S/Major Minnie Hall –
Senior Major Minnie Hall was promoted to Glory on December 18, 2005, just three days before her 99th birthday.
Born Minnie Christine Hokanson on December 21, 1906 in Alexandria, Minnesota, she moved with her family to Canada, returning to the U.S. at age 21. After becoming a nurse, she moved to White Plains, New York, where she first came in contact with The Salvation Army through a man selling the War Cry. She read the magazine, began attending meetings and in 1929 was enrolled as a soldier. Commander Evangeline Booth, then head of the Army in America, was present at the event. Minnie entered the School for Officer Training in 1930 from the White Plains Corps, and was commissioned in 1931 with the Climbers Session.
As a single officer, she served in corps and social service appointments in the Eastern and Central Territories. In 1950 she married Major Lawrence Hall; they served together for 21 years before retiring and moving to California in 1971.
In retirement, Minnie was the visitation sergeant at the Santa Ana Corps for years, organizing dinners serving 600 people to raise money for self denial. She began a Home League at Leisure World, the retirement community where she lived, which is still going today. Recently, Minnie lived in Santa Monica and was active at the corps there as long as health permitted. During her last years, her dear friends Majors Fred and Irene Seiler and her stepson Harold Clifford Hall saw to her needs.
S/Major Minnie Hall was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence, in 1974, and two stepsons, Daniel and Robert. Three stepchildren survive her: Harold Clifford, Lawrence, Jr. and Corrine Bowden. She has two sisters living in Canada, Juliette Lilja and Evelyn Holvorson.
A graveside service was held at the Fairhaven Memorial Park Cemetery with Major Lee Lescano of the Tustin Ranch Corps officiating, supported by a brass ensemble. A memorial service was held at the Santa Monica Corps with Major Fred Seiler officiating and Santa Monica Corps Officer Captain Brian West assisting.