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.

On Jan. 17, 1948, he and Norma Redmer 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 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 lifelong love of farming and raising fjord horses. He was a longtime 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; an infant daughter, Judy; and brother, Walton Hanson.

He is survived by one brother, Alger Hanson, and a sister, Marlene George, both of Glasgow. His immediate family includes his wife, Norma; daughters, Candice and husband, Jim Mathison, of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and Julie Hanson of Whitefish; sons, Don and wife, Ginny Hanson, of Bigfork, and Bill and wife, Bonnie Hanson, of Willow, Alaska. Grandchildren include Scott, Greg and Tim Kiser, Sally Phillips, Janat and Jill Hanson, Amie Gillig, Susan McCaskil and Cy Hanson. Great-grandchildren include Kayleigh and Alyssa Kiser, Dillon and Nolan Kiser, Krystina and Hannah Kiser, Airean, Adrian and Ajay Gillig, Paschence and Thai McCaskil; and best friend, Del Phillips.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 11, at Stillwater Lutheran Church.

Memorials are requested to the Stillwater Lutheran Church Building Fund.