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Cover photo for Kenneth Albert Hansen's Obituary

Kenneth Albert Hansen

Name: Visitation
Start: 06/28/2016 03:00 AM
End: 06/28/2016 04:30 PM
Location: Mankato Mortuary

July 26, 1927 — June 3, 2016

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Visitation

Northview - North Mankato Mortuary

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

3:00am - 4:30 pm (Central time)

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Celebration of Life

Northview - North Mankato Mortuary

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Starts at 4:30 pm (Central time)

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Kenneth Albert Hansen

Northview-North Mankato Mortuary
2060 Commerce Drive
North Mankato, MN 56003
(507) 388-2288

Ken Hansen, age 88 of Mankato, passed away peacefully at Mayo Clinic Health System-Mankato on Friday, June 3rd. A Celebration of Ken’s Life will be held at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary on Tuesday, June 28th at 4:30 with Military Honors to follow. Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 4:30. A private interment will take place at Woodland Hills Memorial Park.

Kenneth Albert Hansen was born on July 26th, 1927 in Streator, IL the son of Albert and Clara (Lauridsen) Hansen. He was the youngest to join his family of three older sisters Eileen, Louella and Emma. Ken was a 1945 graduate of Seneca Township High School and, having previously enlisted, was awaiting call up to active duty in the U.S. Navy. One month later, just shy of his eighteenth birthday, Ken reported for duty at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Waukegan, IL. and decided to join the U.S. Naval Construction Forces otherwise known as the Seebees. Ken was discharged on July 28th, 1946 at which time he signed up for an additional four years in the Naval Reserve. After being discharged Ken attended Dunwoody Vocational College in Minneapolis where his parents had relocated. In June of 1948, while on a blind date, he met his future wife of 65 years Geraldine (Jeri) Janasz. They were married on June 10th, 1950. Fifteen days later, the Korean War erupted and all reserves were frozen for a period of one year. Ken reported for active duty on Sept.9, 1950 and spent most of the year on Amchitka Island in the Aleutian Chain. He was discharged on July 27, 1951.

In 1960 Ken & Jeri moved their family of 2 sons and a daughter to Mankato where the next chapter of Ken’s life began. Ken was a pioneer in the corn drying industry starting in 1950 selling and servicing heated air dryers so, in 1962, he and Jeri opened their own business (Farm Systems, Inc.) specializing in the sales of grain bins, dryers and conveying equipment.

Being a “people person” Ken excelled in sales and leadership. At the height of its success the business expanded to ten satellite locations. After retiring, Ken managed the Farmer’s Market for three years and enjoyed 10 years as a Salvation Army volunteer. Ken and Jeri wintered for over 20 years in Arizona and after the usual phase of unwinding and relaxing they both became restless and, after a visit to a swap meet, decided to rent a space and sell crafts, books, greeting cards, and anything else they could think of. For Ken, this outlet was heaven on earth as he could roam about and converse with people to his heart’s content. Jeri was the worker bee in this operation. They were able to stay involved in this endeavor until health issues arose for both of them. After Jeri passed on 8 months ago, Ken’s heart light started to fade but he continued to engage people in conversations from health care providers to TV cable tech’s. Ken’s many hobbies included hunting, fishing, flying, golf, reading and card playing. His two favorite TV shows were reruns of “The Waltons” and “American Pickers” (go figure). He often commented how fortunate he was to have been able to experience a long and wonderful life.

Ken touched many lives and he will be fondly remembered by those who knew him. Memories of him will be most lovingly cherished by his 3 children, 7 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren (soon to be 7) and close family friends. Sons - Scott Hansen (Anne) of Shakopee and Paul Hansen of Wabasso, and daughter Gail (Lee) Monson of Mankato. 7 grandchildren - Brian (Jill) Monson of Mankato, Ryan (Kendra) Hansen of Brooklyn, NY, twins Nicole (Mike) Hansen of New Prague and Rachel (Marti) Schmitz of Portland, OR, Andy Monson of State College, PA, Christopher (Amy) Hansen of Boston, MA and Jennifer Hansen of Carver. 5 great-grandchildren - Zac and Ella Morris, Ava Monson, Archer Schmitz and Mason Hansen. Much loved friends Joan Hansen (Don Boehmer) of Maplewood and Dick VanHecke of Mankato.

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