H. Kenneth Hanson Jr.

Kenneth Hanson, 78 of Devils Lake ND passed away on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at his home in Fargo with loving family at his side. 

Hilmer Kenneth (Ken) Hanson Jr. was born on March 9, 1944, the second child of Hilmer and Anna (Anderson) Hanson of Devils Lake, ND.  Ken and his older brother, Collin, grew up in rural Devils Lake and spent their childhood working on the farm, hunting, fishing, and attending school at a two-room schoolhouse, Morris Township No. 2.

As the rural school only taught through the 8^th grade, they transferred into Devils Lake in 1957 to complete their high school education.  Ken graduated from Devils Lake Central in 1962 and attended Valley City State College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Biology and Chemistry along with his teaching certification in 1966.

While in college, Ken met Linda LaVonne Taylor. They married on December 10, 1966 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Devils Lake, ND.  Ken taught high school science in Crystal, ND from 1966 to 67, and then taught in Cando, ND from 1968 to 69, where they had their first child – Kenneth Carlin (KC) in October 1968.  They moved to McVille, where Ken taught from 1970 to 74, and had their two daughters, Marti Lin in October 1970 and Janna Lee in May 1973.

After his father’s sudden passing in July 1973, Ken and his family decided to move back to Devils Lake where he began farming with Collin.  They had their second son, Ross Jeffrey, in March 1975.  Ken farmed for 20 years. After the flooding of 1993, he and Linda decided to pack up and head West to Ely, NV.  With a fresh start, he worked as a Program Coordinator for Rural Nevada Development Corporation helping over 150 elderly people receive state funding for home improvements. He was then hired by BHP Copper as an Assay Chemist at the Ruth Mine (near Ely) before eventually becoming the Water and Wastewater Systems Operator.  After BHP closed the mine in 2000, Ken took that skill set to Big Timber, MT, where he worked for Stillwater Mining Company at the East Boulder Mine – earning the moniker “Waterman Ken” along the way.  He continued to work there until 2008 when he retired and moved back to Devils Lake.

Ken and Linda stayed active in retirement through farming for others, travelling to see their kids and grandchildren, doing some carpentry and home improvements, as well as getting out hunting and fishing as much as possible.  In November 2014, Linda was diagnosed with brain cancer and in August 2015 she passed away.

A couple years later, Ken had the chance to catch up with Mary Rutten (Will), a longtime friend and college girlfriend, and rekindled their relationship.  They were married in December 2020 at St. Joseph’s Catholic in Devils Lake, ND.  In February 2021, Ken was diagnosed with brain cancer which he fought courageously until his passing with Mary steadfast by his side – a true blessing for which Ken and his family cannot express enough gratitude.

Ken was preceded in death by his father, mother, and first wife Linda.  He is survived by his brother, Collin (Linda) Hanson, Devils Lake, ND; his second wife, Mary, Fargo, ND; his four children and their spouses, KC (Nancy) Hanson, Moorhead, MN; Marti (Mike) Bingham, Buffalo, WY; Janna Hanson, Moorhead, MN; and Ross (Amy) Hanson, Fort Benton, MT; along with 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Ken will be best remembered for his passion for the things he loved most – family, friends, farming, hunting, and fishing.  He worked hard but always took time for others.

He loved to have a good time, treasured great conversation, and will be deeply missed by all those who knew him.

Funeral services will be held at Peace Lutheran Church on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Lyle Belleque officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery.  Family and friends may call at Peace Lutheran Church beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday prior to the funeral service. In lieu of gifts, the family asks everyone to consider donations to American Cancer Society – Hope Lodge, 411 2^nd St NW, Rochester, MN 55