Kenneth "Ken" Hansen, Sr.

Kenneth (Ken) M. Hansen Sr. of Duluth

God and the angels needed another mentor and someone to be a “big brother”, and Ken left us suddenly on Wednesday November 13 following a medical procedure that afternoon to fill that role.  Ken had major heart surgery two weeks ago and was in the St. Luke’s ICU receiving wonderful care.  No one knew how much his heart condition was impacting his life until his surgery.  He entered the hospital weaker than we knew and only got weaker as his body could not keep up.

Ken was born and raised in Duluth, played youth hockey and was a member of the 1962 Bantam City and State championship team.  He attended Central High School; where he met his wife Elaine; played football and hockey; sang in the choir; and was part of the Class of ‘66.  Boy Scouts were a big part of his life - he attained the rank of Eagle Scout; attended the 1964 National Jamboree, known to watch over the younger Scouts; was an Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 9 and volunteered to be with the youngest Scouts for a week at summer camp; he was found at Grandma’s Marathon Mile Marker 24 with Troop 9 for a number of years; cooked for weekend camps; and mentored new leaders and scouts.  His professional life in drafting and engineering gave him the opportunity to design large and small hydraulic systems.  He loved his work and was proud of the contribution he made to efficient and productive manufacturing and business operations.  While in South Dakota, he was active with the Optimist Club and contributed back to the community and youth activities.

Youth hockey became a passion and he was a youth hockey coach who was recognized for encouraging players to improve their skills and play as a team, even if they were not at the highest levels.  His teams had great fun, built character, and produced some very good hockey players.  He has been on the Duluth Amateur Hockey Board (DAHA) and served several terms as President, as Chair of the Rules and Grievance committee, and donated time each year to tournaments and DAHA fundraising activities.  He was also an avid UMD Bulldog fan and enjoyed his season tickets.

Outside activities were important to him and he was the perennial organizer and cook for Opening Fishing, fishing trips to Canada, late December and February ice fishing trips to Lake of the Woods.  He enjoyed pheasant hunting in South Dakota and deer hunting in Minnesota.   At Moonlight Bay on Leech Lake where he liked to spend most of the summer fishing and playing golf, he coordinated the cooking for the beef bar-b-que and the Labor Day pig roast each year.

Ken was given 9 lives and they ran out.  He will be remembered as kind, honest, independent, compassionate, helpful, encouraging, and full of love.  His memory will live on with his family - wife Elaine; children Sharon, Kristine and Ken Jr.; grandchildren Tony, Sean, Becci and Tyler; brothers Bill, Tom and Tim and their wives; special friends Terry, Eileen, and Ralph; his Moonlight Bay family; Kathy Angelos the mother of Kristine and Ken Jr.; and many other relatives and friends.  His dog Buddie hastened her trip over the rainbow bridge to be waiting for Ken, leaving Shadow without his two best friends.

Visitation is 3pm to 5pm on Sunday November 18, and one hour before the 11 am Monday November 19 remembrance at Dougherty Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the DAHA Hank Jensen Fund,120 S 30th Ave W., Duluth, MN  55806,  to help all youth be able to experience hockey, would be very much appreciated.  Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral home, 600 E 2nd St. Duluth, MN, (218) 727-3555.