Kenneth Delmar Hansen

KENNETH DELMAR HANSENMay 28, 1932 ˜ July 8, 2025 My love left me today, and I feel an enormous loss, but I'm happy for him to be at peace. I will miss his warmth, compassion, caring, and generous heart. Ken was born in the Eugene/Springfield area and raised on a dairy farm. He had two older brothers and two sisters. They all worked from early in the morning before school and after to help with the chores. He said he learned so many valuable lessons growing up in this wonderful environment. He learned to work hard, be thankful for everything, and be happy for others. One of the best lessons in life was watching and learning from the animals. He realized that we are all different and that it's essential to accept that. There is also a pecking order, even in the animal kingdom, and boy, did this understanding help in the business world. His parents fostered education. One brother was a doctor, one a lawyer, and Ken was a banker; his two sisters were a teacher and a social worker. His parents were both Norwegian, and there was a large Scandinavian community that was closely related in some way or another. Each year, there was an annual gathering where they shared food, sang, listened to music, and enjoyed each other's company. One of the things Ken enjoyed most was when he and his brothers would drive over the mountain pass to pick up hay for the cows, and they would stop for fly fishing on the Mackenzie River. He loved fly fishing, playing the accordion, running, golfing, skiing, and spending time outdoors. After high school, he attended Oregon State University and graduated with a degree in engineering. Then he entered the Air Force and became so proficient at flying that he was appointed as the personal pilot for the base commander. Ken was a captain when he left the Air Force and earned his wings, which is no easy feat. After leaving the Air Force, he worked for US National Bank in Portland, where he spent several years in commercial lending. He then transitioned into national accounts, traveling extensively throughout the East Coast. He and Shirley moved to Seattle in 1980, and Ken went to work for First Interstate Bank in commercial lending before it became Wells Fargo. He left Wells after several years and went to work for Seattle First in commercial Real Estate, eventually retiring only to be hired by one of the companies he had dealt with as a consultant. This was his final job. Ken met Shirley in 1967, and they married in 1968. They loved and adored each other, and they were inseparable. They loved traveling to the Oregon Coast and Vancouver, BC, and enjoyed going to Hawaii for many years.Ken is survived by his adoring wife, Shirley of 57 years; his sister, Helen Jensen of Halsey, OR; his brother-in-law, Bobby Langlois and wife, Connie; his brother-in-law, Langlois; his sister-in-law, Better Warner and husband, Hal; and many nieces and nephews. A private family gathering will be held at Evergreen Memorial Gardens to celebrate his life.

Kenneth Delmar Hansen

May 28, 1932 - July 8, 2025