1922
Kenneth
2012
Dr. Kenneth Martin Hansen
December 14, 1922 — February 26, 2012
Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, March 24, 2012 at the McDonald Funeral Home. Burial of the ashes will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Wounded Warrior Project or the charity of the donor's choice. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.Preceded in death by infant son, Kenneth Martin, Jr., his beloved wife of 68 years, Jean, his parents Martin and Ruth, 3 brothers, infant Richard, Carson, and Keith, and 3 sisters, Fern McDonald, Evea Prickett, and Juanita Thompson. He is survived by daughters Ruth Hanson (David), Independence, MO, Janet Lyngstad, Liberty, MO, grandson Christopher Hanson, great grandsons Bradley and Michael Hanson, all of Blue Springs, MO, one sister, Dorathea Carl, El Dorado, KS, and many loving nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
Kenneth was born on his family's farm in rural Mitchell County KS just east of Beloit, on Dec. 14, 1922. Raised on the farm, through the Great Depression, until adulthood; he worked alongside his family as they raised chickens, pigs, cows, and horses, wheat, alfalfa and corn crops, a large vegetable garden and fruit orchards, learning lessons in economy and resourcefulness that would influence him for the rest of his life.
He attended grade school at the one room post rock schoolhouse, Gilbert #72, built by his Danish immigrant grandfather, Carsten, and graduated from Beloit High School in 1941. He married Jean Bourbon on Feb. 1, 1942.
He enlisted in the Army Air Corps, but was drafted before his callup, & volunteered for the airborne. He was a member of the 17th Airborne Div., 155 AA Co. F, in Fort Bragg, N.C. Selected for pilot & officer training, that program was cancelled prior to admission. He served in the infantry briefly, before transferring back to airborne, forfeiting his rank. He was seriously injured in a paratroop jump tower accident and was given a medical discharge for disability that would then shape the course of his life.
Upon returning home, he worked at his uncle's car dealership, Fuller Motor, and served as a volunteer firefighter for the Beloit Fire Dept. He moved his family to become parts and service manager at McClure Ford in El Dorado, KS. He began night school, graduated from El Dorado Junior College, and moved to Kansas City, KS to pursue dental school at the University of Kansas City (now UMKC), graduating in 1963. He bought a dental practice in NKC, MO and soon opened another office in Riverside, MO at the Riverside Clinic Bldg. He practiced general dentistry full time, eventually closing the office after Jean's 2nd stroke, in 1994. He cared for her at home, for the next 14 years.
Kenneth was active in several organizations through the years: American Legion, BPOE (Elks Lodge), Northland Optimists, the Clay Platte Dental Society, serving as president, & the Greater Kansas City Dental Society. He spent several years on the medical-dental staff at North Kansas City Hospital and served on the Clay County Health Board.
He loved to fish and hunt – spending every fall prairie chicken & pheasant hunting with friends, family & colleagues. He ran track in high school, setting a state record in the low hurdles, and running in several other events, including relay. He enjoyed watching sports, as well, baseball, football, track & field, professional and collegiate. And he loved to encourage youngsters interested in playing sports, as well.
Endlessly curious, he was an avid reader of non-fiction. He loved science, medicine, and the pursuit of new discoveries in both. In his late seventies, he learned to use a computer, adding the internet to his sources for study. He began corresponding with family & friends – keeping in touch, especially with lives of his many nephews & nieces.
Ken was known for his sense of humor & gentle manner with patients. Some flew into town to have their dental work, others would stop by, just to pass on a new joke to 'Doc". His kindness & generosity were known by all who crossed his path. Loved and admired, he will be missed by the many lives he touched.
Kenneth was born on his family's farm in rural Mitchell County KS just east of Beloit, on Dec. 14, 1922. Raised on the farm, through the Great Depression, until adulthood; he worked alongside his family as they raised chickens, pigs, cows, and horses, wheat, alfalfa and corn crops, a large vegetable garden and fruit orchards, learning lessons in economy and resourcefulness that would influence him for the rest of his life.
He attended grade school at the one room post rock schoolhouse, Gilbert #72, built by his Danish immigrant grandfather, Carsten, and graduated from Beloit High School in 1941. He married Jean Bourbon on Feb. 1, 1942.
He enlisted in the Army Air Corps, but was drafted before his callup, & volunteered for the airborne. He was a member of the 17th Airborne Div., 155 AA Co. F, in Fort Bragg, N.C. Selected for pilot & officer training, that program was cancelled prior to admission. He served in the infantry briefly, before transferring back to airborne, forfeiting his rank. He was seriously injured in a paratroop jump tower accident and was given a medical discharge for disability that would then shape the course of his life.
Upon returning home, he worked at his uncle's car dealership, Fuller Motor, and served as a volunteer firefighter for the Beloit Fire Dept. He moved his family to become parts and service manager at McClure Ford in El Dorado, KS. He began night school, graduated from El Dorado Junior College, and moved to Kansas City, KS to pursue dental school at the University of Kansas City (now UMKC), graduating in 1963. He bought a dental practice in NKC, MO and soon opened another office in Riverside, MO at the Riverside Clinic Bldg. He practiced general dentistry full time, eventually closing the office after Jean's 2nd stroke, in 1994. He cared for her at home, for the next 14 years.
Kenneth was active in several organizations through the years: American Legion, BPOE (Elks Lodge), Northland Optimists, the Clay Platte Dental Society, serving as president, & the Greater Kansas City Dental Society. He spent several years on the medical-dental staff at North Kansas City Hospital and served on the Clay County Health Board.
He loved to fish and hunt – spending every fall prairie chicken & pheasant hunting with friends, family & colleagues. He ran track in high school, setting a state record in the low hurdles, and running in several other events, including relay. He enjoyed watching sports, as well, baseball, football, track & field, professional and collegiate. And he loved to encourage youngsters interested in playing sports, as well.
Endlessly curious, he was an avid reader of non-fiction. He loved science, medicine, and the pursuit of new discoveries in both. In his late seventies, he learned to use a computer, adding the internet to his sources for study. He began corresponding with family & friends – keeping in touch, especially with lives of his many nephews & nieces.
Ken was known for his sense of humor & gentle manner with patients. Some flew into town to have their dental work, others would stop by, just to pass on a new joke to 'Doc". His kindness & generosity were known by all who crossed his path. Loved and admired, he will be missed by the many lives he touched.
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