Kenneth Hanson

Kenneth W. Hanson, 79, of Whitefish, went home to be with the Lord on March 4, 2006, at North Valley Hospital with his family by his side.

Ken was born June 28, 1926, in Larson, N.D., the son of William and Helga Hanson. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 1946, and after his discharge in September 1947, he moved to Larson, N.D.

On Jan. 17, 1948, he and Norma Remer eloped to Wahpeton, N.D. The couple worked at farming and started a family. In 1955, the family moved to Kalispell, where Ken went to work at the Anaconda Aluminum Co. plant in Columbia Falls. Ken worked at the plant for 25 years, eventually becoming a foreman in the casting department.

Ken retired in 1981 and then pursued his life long love of farming and raising Fjord horses. He was a long-time member of the Stillwater Lutheran Church and was a loving husband, devoted father and a friend to all who knew him.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents and brother Walton Hanson.

He is survived by brother Alger Hanson and sister Marlene George, both of Glasgow; wife Norma; daughter Candice Mathison and husband Jim, of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; daughter Julie Hanson, of Whitefish, and son Don Hanson and wife Ginny, of Big Fork, and son Bill Hanson and wife Bonnie, of Willow, Ark.; grandchildren Scott, Greg and Tim Kiser, Sally Phillips, Janat and Jill Hanson, Amie Gillig, Susan McCaskil and Cy Hanson; great grandchildren Kayleigh and Alyssa Kiser, Dillon and Nolan Kiser, Krystina and Hannah Kiser, Airean, Adrian and Ajay Gilling, Paschence and Thai McCaskil; and best friend Del Phillips.

A "Celebration of Life Service" will be held at Stillwater Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 11, 2006, at 11 a.m.