Kenneth Dale 'Ken' Hanson, age 81, passed away April 30, 2013, surrounded by family at his home in Custer, SD.

Ken was born on September 26, 1931, near Alexandria, SD in Hanson County to Hans and Minnie (Carlson) Hanson. He served in the US Navy during the Korean War from 1951 until his honorable discharge in 1955. Ken married Jeree Lee Boisen at Mt. Vernon, SD, May 22, 1960. Born to this union were three daughters, Leah, Kim and Jodee (died at birth), and two sons, Dodd and Troy. On August 27, 1982, he married Arbutus M. Jorgensen at Mitchell, SD, where they lived until January, 1987, when they moved to Custer.

Ken was a good man who lived a good life following God's way. He was a member of Custer Lutheran Fellowship. He liked volunteering on building projects at the Church, YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, and just working with and helping others. He loved his family dearly. Ken was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend and he spent plenty of time mastering each of those roles leaving a legacy of memories for those who knew and loved him. Ken also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping and readily passed those skills on to others. He was a true sportsman seeing his game from the field to the frying pan. Ken was also known for his sense of humor.

Ken is survived by his wife, Arbutus Hanson of Custer; two daughters, Leah Hill (Judd Richardson) of Gillette, WY; Kim (Everett) Dean of Newcastle, WY; two sons, Dodd Hanson (Donna Speir) of Mitchell; Troy Hanson (Dave Buus) of Gillette,WY; stepdaughter, Danette Munson (Paul Dezotel) of Sioux Falls; stepson, Bret (Deb) Jorgensen of Mitchell; three granddaughters, Chrissa (Kirk) Luckow of Crookston, MN; Kati (Nate) Smith of Newcastle; Kara Hanson of Mitchell; two grandsons, Kyle Dean of Newcastle and Nick Hanson of Mitchell; three step grandsons, Cullen (Traci) Jorgensen of Rapid City, Baend (Tia) Buus of Laramie, WY, Yuri (Vanessa) Buus of Bullhead City, AZ, Jason (Becca) Hill of Belle Fourche, SD; three step granddaughters, Sarah (Mark) Stanton of Lincoln, CA; Aundrea (Jessica) Dybing-Jorgensen of Sioux Falls; Laura (Nathan) Green of Marshall, MN; and 14 great grandchildren, a sister Alyce (Vern) Knutson, Lakewood, CO, his brother Darrell ( Bev ) Hanson, Mitchell, SD; and sister in-law Marlene Hafner, St Paul, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Lorene Lowe; Hazel Simpson; brother, Wayne Hanson, and infant daughter, Jodee Hanson.

Memorial services will be held Monday, May 6th, 2:00 p.m. at Custer Lutheran Fellowship near Custer with Pastor Tom Opoien and Pastor Kent Narum officiating.

Committal Services will be held at New Home Lutheran Cemetery near Mitchell, SD at a later date.

Memorials may be sent to Custer Lutheran Fellowship, 12622 US Hwy 16A, Custer, SD, 57730.