Kenneth James Hansen

1926 - 2011

HYDE PARK - Kenneth James Hansen, 84 years old, returned peacefully to his Heavenly Father and the open arms of his loving parents and twin brother, Keith, on Friday, July 15, 2011, following the diagnosis of acute leukemia.
Ken was born to Fredrick N. Hansen and Nettie Hodges on Nov. 18, 1926, in Trenton, Utah. He grew up and attended school in Newton.
Ken met the love of his life, Caryle Manwaring, while she was attending USU on a cold winter's night. They dated for 10 months and were married Oct. 27, 1961, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.
They purchased their home in Hyde Park, Utah, shortly after being married. That is where they have spent their life together for the past 50 years. Their 50th anniversary would have been celebrated this October. On Jan. 8, 1965, they welcomed their only son, Kelly James, into their lives.
Ken was employed as a supervisor at Cache Valley Dairy for 20-plus years, then went to E.A. Millers as a supervisor and worked there for 20-plus years, retiring on his 67th birthday.
Ken learned to work hard by following in his father's footsteps. His very first job was tending turkeys at night so the dogs wouldn't get them. He would accompany his father to shoe horses, learning that skill at a young age. He enjoyed shoeing horses his whole life, the last time being five months ago. While the Newton dam was being built, Ken as a teenager would tend the fire at night to keep the cement from freezing.
Ken raised geese, turkeys, chickens, pigs and cows, although his true passion was horses. In 1956, he and his younger sister, Bonnie, traveled to Sheridan, Wyo., where he bought his first Arabian colt, and has been surrounded by horses ever since. He showed many of his horses and won many ribbons in Northern Utah. At one point he had more than 20 horses. Ken drove his team of horses in many parades, and participated in the cutter races. In 1996, Ken, Caryle and Kelly had an amazing opportunity to participate and drive the Utah Centennial Wagon 446 miles from Logan to Cedar City.
Another of Ken's passions was painting and drawing. He has painted many beautiful landscapes and animals, not only on canvas but also on old milk cans and saws. He was also a very skilled craftsman with wood; he crafted a bobsled for Kelly for winter fun.
Ken enjoyed serving in numerous positions in the LDS Church, including the activities committee with Caryle. His favorite position was as a home teacher - he loved the families he served.
Ken's family was his life, including extended family. He loved to go on vacation, hauling wood, snowmobiling, going to parades and going to the canyon and having cookouts. He just all around loved the outdoors. He was Uncle Kenneth to all.
He is survived by his sweetheart, Caryle; his beloved son, Kelly; and siblings, Bonnie Johnson of Hyrum, Merle H. Scott (Wesley) of Fielding and Junius Hansen of Newton. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his loving parents and twin brother, Keith (10 months).
Funeral services will be at noon Thursday, July 21, at the Hyde Park Stake Center, 535 E. 200 South, Hyde Park. Friends and family may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, at the Hyde Park Stake Center, and from 10 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the funeral Thursday. Burial will be in the Hyde Park Cemetery.
Special thanks to Rocky Mountain Hospice and Sunshine Terrace.