Kenneth Howard Hansen

January 18,1928 - June 13, 2021

Better known as Ken - he was born in San Francisco to Alma and Cristian Hansen. Ken

lived in San Francisco throughout his school years. He was drafted into the Army right out of

high school in February 1946. He served at the end of WWII and received an Honorable

Discharge with the rank of Corporal in Sept. 1947. He was called up again during the Korean

War in August 1947 in the Air Force. He was assigned to the Motor Vehicle Squadron at Nellis

AFB in Las Vegas and received an Honorable Discharge in August of 1951 as a Sergeant.

Ken met Hildegard at a New Year’s Eve party hosted by Hildegard in her parent’s garage

in December of 1951. They were married in November of 1953 and raised two children in

Burlingame.

Ken had a lot of different jobs during his 93 years. As a young boy he was a butcher,

worked in the post office sorting mail and then became a diesel mechanic for the

Greyhound bus line. He retired from Greyhound after 40 years.

Ken was a hard worker with many skills. Not only a mechanic on buses, but maintained the

family cars, was Mr. Fixit around the house doing plumbing, carpentry, electrical, painting of

the apartments and much more.

In 1964 Ken and Hilde purchased a lake house in Lakeport on Clear Lake. Ken and the

family had such wonderful times at the lake. He enjoyed water skiing and teaching family and

friends how to ski. He loved to BBQ and get together with the neighbors for block parties or

water fights between neighbors with hoses. You could see him every morning walking down the

street with a coffee cup in hand visiting the neighbors. They even filled his cup!

One of Ken’s passions was his Lionel trains. He would set the train up each year for

Christmas in the living room. Over the years he received several engines, cars, train scenery,

etc. as gifts. By the time he was in his 70’s he would put up enough track for 3 locomotives, 2

freight trains and a passenger train. All trains ran at the same time up a hill, under a bridge and

even through a tunnel, depending on what track the trains were on. He taught his kids and

grandkids how to run the trains. They had many hours of fun.

His greatest joy was his family. He was so proud of everyone and their accomplishments. He

would tell anyone who would listen about his children, grandchildren and great grandson. Ken

loved to socialize and enjoyed talking to everyone.

Ken is survived by his wife Hilde of 67 years, his daughter Helen Morris (Rick), son Jeff

Hansen (Sue), grandchildren Christopher Hansen (Lanelle), Benjamin Hansen (Tiffany), Lacey

Morris, Andrew Morris, great grandchild Jake Hansen, and a great grandson on the way. His

nieces Chris Timmins, Shirley Moore (Bill), Lindsay Martin (Jarod) and family, Jamie Chapal

(Jack) and family, Gene Ostertag (Susan),sons, Danny, Paulie and families and Paul Ostertag

(Elaine),sons, Kyle and Ryan. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.

If you would like to donate to an organization in Ken’s honor - Please donate to:

Disabled American Veterans St. Judes Children’s ResearchHospital

www.dav.org www.stjudes.org

Disabled American Veterans St.Jude Children’s Research Hospital

PO Box 14301 PO Box 50

Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301 Memphis, TN 38101-9929

877-647-8387