In Memory of Kenneth M. Hanson

Kenneth “Kenny” Hanson, age 83, of East Bethel died December 3, 2023 at Holmes Cardiac Care Center at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, December 8th at Stanchfield Baptist Church.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Kenneth M. Hanson “Kenny” was born March 2, 1940, the son of Kore and Mathilda Hanson.  He lived in Reiner Township, Pennington County, Minnesota until 1950 when his family moved to Goodridge, Minnesota.  Kenny attended the Goodridge public schools and graduated with the Class of 1959.  After graduation, he went to Kansas City, Missouri and completed a one year autobody repair program.  This led to a career that lasted 40 plus years.  Upon retiring in 2002, he bought and restored antique John Deere Tractors, then switched to 8N and 9N Fords.

Kenny was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed hunting, fishing and yard work.  Kenny and his wife, Peg enjoyed traveling and visited all the states except Hawaii.  Kenny had many health issues in the past 3 years, but never let it stop him from doing the things he loved.  Auctions were his favorite pastime as well as the weekly Pine City flea market where he sold and bought (mostly bought).  Ken married Judith Senart in 1968 and to this union two sons were born, Shane and Monte.  In October 1979, he met his life partner, Margaret “Peggy” Merkle.  She had two daughters, Jen and Becky.  Kenny and Peggy raised the four children as a family unit.

Kenny died on December 3, 2023 at Holmes Cardiac Care Center at Abbott Northwestern Hospital at 83 years, 9 months and 1 day.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Edvin; sisters, Beulah Hanson, Kathy Johnson.

Kenny is survived by his wife, Peggy; sons, Shane Hanson of East Bethel, Monte Hanson (Aneesa) of Champlin; step-daughters, Jen Merkle of Blaine, Becky (Ed) Garagiola of Ogilvie; grandchildren, Kore Hanson (Grace) of Colorado Springs, CO, Eve Hanson of Irving, TX, Faith Hanson of Bemidji, Jacob (Liisa) Jehlicka of Fridley, Cassie Garagiola of Brooklyn Park, Sara Garagiola of Ogilvie, sister Margaret Peterson, Puyallup, WA; many nieces and nephews and other family and friends.