Allen, Neb.
Kenneth L. "Chief" Hansen, 79, of Allen, passed away Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, at Providence Medical Center in Wayne, Neb., after his courageous battle with myelofibrosis.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ponca, Neb., with the Rev. Andrew L. Sohm officiating. Burial will be in Calvary at South Creek Cemetery, rural Ponca. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, with a scriptural wake service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Mohr Funeral Home in Ponca.
Kenneth was born in Wayne, on Jan. 1, 1939, to Walter and Ruth (Andersen) Hansen. He was raised on a farm west of Martinsburg, Neb. He attended country school until eighth grade, then finished high school and graduated from Allen High School in 1956. He then attended School of Business in Sioux City. Kenneth took a job as a junior accountant until his mom asked him to come back home to the family farm after his brother had been called to serve our country. Kenneth farmed, milked cows and raised hogs. While farming he held various jobs working at the saw mill in Willis, Neb., road construction, and for the Dixon County Weed District. After retiring, he continued to raise hogs and farm his land until his health no longer allowed him. Kenneth's love for animals was very apparent. His dog, Willy, was just like one of his children.
He married Mary Rose Boyle on Sept. 9, 1961, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Jackson, Neb. Family was very important to Kenneth. He enjoyed attending all of the children and grandchildren's activities over the years. His face would light up anytime he got to spend time with his great-grandchildren. They enjoyed helping him pick and eat strawberries, raspberries, apples and pears every year.
Kenneth is survived by his eight children and their spouses, Lee and Dawn Hansen of South Sioux City, David and Valerie Hansen of Ponca, Neb., Lisa and Doug Thompson of Laurel, Neb., Deanna and Chris Bennett of Ponca, Brian and Candice Hansen of Ponca, Barbara and Scott Pigg of Laurel, Marcia Malone of Lincoln, Neb., and Kristin and Luke Dixon of Anthon, Iowa; 27 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sisters, Arlene Patefield of Laurel, and Bernita Meyer of Wisner, Neb.; two sisters-in-law, Patricia Hansen of Dell Rapids, S.D., and Helen Hansen of Coleridge, Neb.; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary in 2015; his parents, Walter and Ruth Hansen; grandson, Jacob Bennett; son-in-law, Samuel Malone; brothers, Rodney and Maynard Hansen; sister, Vivian Lemke and her husband, Leland; and brother-in-law, Milo Patefield.
