Kenneth A. Hanson , 74, Minot, died Tuesday, June 12, 2007, in Minot.

Kenneth Arthur Hanson was born October 13, 1932, in Steele County, North Dakota, to Arthur and Edith (Erickson) Hanson. He attended grade school in rural Steele County and graduated from Portland High School (ND) in 1950. He received a one-year certificate from Mayville State College the following year and taught for 3 years in rural Steele County schools, and also farmed for several years with his dad and brother, John.

He married Arlene Bjerke of Portland, ND, on January 22, 1958, in Seguin, TX, where Ken was a student at Texas Lutheran College. In 1959, he received a Bachelor's Degree from Mayville State, then served as Principal and Social Studies teacher at Hunter, ND, for 2 years. He then taught Math and Science in Indio, CA, and Social Studies at Grand Forks Central for one year.

In 1964 he began working for the Social Security Administration in Kansas City, MO, and held various positions with them in Grand Forks, Bismarck, Devils Lake, and Minot until his retirement in 1994.

In 1993 he attended the Continental School of Auctioneering in Mankato, MN, and did part-time auctioneering for some years thereafter, and was also active in the Census Project from 1998-2000. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church where he sang in the Cathedral Choir for many years and was on the Church Council several times. He was active in the Hstfest as well.

He was a member of the Eagles Club for over 25 years, and belonged to the Souris Valley Men's Golf and the Minot Bowling Associations. He was also a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), and of AARP. He enjoyed golf, bowling, and watching professional sports on TV, especially golf (when Phil Mickelson was playing), and the Minnesota Vikings.

In past years he enjoyed hunting, especially for deer, and for many years went back to the family farm to help with harvest. His passion in retirement was golf, and he was always impatient for the courses to open in springtime. He and Arlene enjoyed traveling together, and got to visit Hawaii, Alaska, and Europe, as well as many states in the continental US.

Loving family includes: wife, Arlene, two daughters: Janet Sherman, of Surrey, ND, with friend Harry Anderson, and Joan Lambert, of Minot, with fiancé Randy Skjoldal, Son: Lyle Hanson, with wife Rita, of Rapid City, SD, five grand-daughters: Jessica Mueller, with husband Dan, of Grand Forks, ND, Miranda Sherman of Surrey, ND, Chelsea Sherman, with friend Casey Walhood, of Minot, Megan Lambert, with friend Josh Thom, of Minot; and Ali Lambert of Minot, and a great-grandson, Dominic Grant Walhood of Minot; brothers Eugene (Connie) Hanson, Edmunds, WA, and Richard Hanson, with friend Janet, Lisbon, ND; sisters: Carol (Orland) Niemeier, Buxton, ND, and Ellen (David) Sundberg, Fergus Falls, MN), brother-in-law: Gene Gillund, Lisbon, ND and sister-in-law: Darlene Hanson, Mayville, ND, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother, John, and a sister, Eunice.

Funeral: Saturday, June 16, 2007, at 11:30 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot;
Visitation: Friday, June 15, 2007, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home of Minot.
Memorials: Memorials are preferred to Christ Lutheran Church or National Psoriasis Foundation, 6600 SW 92nd Ave Suite 300, Portland, OR 97223-7195.