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Kenneth E. “Ken” Hansen

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NORFOLK — Funeral Services for Kenneth E. “Ken” Hansen, 75, Norfolk, were Feb. 21 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Norfolk. Rev. Randy Rasmussen officiated.

Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery south of McLean. Visitation was at the Home for Funerals Chapel, Norfolk.

Ken died Feb. 17, 2020, at the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, Omaha, following complications after a recent heart surgery.

Kenneth Edward was born April 22, 1944, in Norfolk, to Elmer and Luetta (Kierstead) Hansen. He shared his birthday with his mother and they celebrated it together for many years.

Ken lived in Norfolk with his mother and older brother, Ted, while his father served in the U.S. Army. When Ken was only eight months old, his father was killed in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium.

On January 18, 1947, his mother married Clarence Wessel of Osmond, and they moved to a farm south of Randolph which remained the family home until 1993. To this union, two other brothers were born Clarence Wessel, Jr. and Lauren Wessel.

Ken attended a country school from first to eighth grade. He then attended Randolph High and graduated in 1962. He furthered his education at Wayne State College for three years, before entering the Management Training Program with Hesteds, Newberry and McCrory Company for the next 18 years. He served in Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and transferred back to the McCrory store in Norfolk. When the store closed, he chose to remain in Nebraska and took a position with Nebraska Sports until his retirement.

He married Janice Kay Biggerstaff Jan. 18, 1964. in Wayne. They had three children, Brenda, Jeffrey and Michael. After 18 years of marriage, they divorced and Ken married Marlene Anderson.

He married Susan Taylor Aug. 31, 1991, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Norfolk. Ken gained three step sons: Scott, Craig and David. Together they were dedicated members of St. John’s for many years of service and in many capacities.

Ken was an avid gun owner and was a member of the Northeast Nebraska Gun Club Association for several years. He also had a love for music and was a member of the Norfolk Men’s Chorus for many years and sang in the church choir at St. John’s Church for over thirty years.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Susan; daughter, Brenda (Mike), Hoskins; sons, Jeff, Lincoln, and Mike (Sandra), Omaha; brothers, Ted (Lavonne), Grand Island; Clarence, Jr., Florida; and Lauren (Val), Randolph; grandchildren, Amber Sparks, Wayne; Tim Sparks, Norfolk; Cristen (Brendan) Janssen, Norfolk; Jeremy Hansen, Lincoln; Nichole (Nate) Spangler, Iowa; six great-grandchildren; step sons, Scott (Debbie) Taylor, Pierce; Craig (Sue) Taylor, Pierce; and David (Tara) Taylor, Wisner; step grandchildren, Erin, Emily, Braden, Kaleb, Jackie, Keah and Kyla[ five step great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and greatgrandparents.