Kenneth Hanson's Obituary
Kenneth Charles Hanson of San Diego, California, passed away on January 9, 2026, at Westmont of La Mesa Assisted Living, following complications of Parkinson’s disease. After several hospitalizations, Ken entered hospice care on December 25, 2025.
Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Anderson Hanson, whom he married in 1971 and lost in 2003; his son, Kyle Hanson, who passed away in 1990; his brother, Donald Hanson of Arizona; and his sister, Marcella Olson of Oregon.
He is survived by his brother, Ralph Hanson of North Dakota; his daughter, Kristen Ross, and her husband, Randy Ross, of Tampa, Florida, along with their children, Olivia and Miles; and his son, Kevin Hanson, and wife, Heather Hanson, of Long Island, New York, and their children, Elizabeth and Kevin Jr.
Affectionately known within the family as “Ken Hanson San Diego — man about town,” Ken was the proud descendant of Swedish immigrants Gunnar Ernfrid “Fred” Hansson and Helen Swanson. He lived what many would call the American Dream, traveling the world across all seven continents and exploring countless destinations throughout the United States.
Ken was born in Alta, Iowa, near Storm Lake, and was later raised on a 360-acre dairy farm in Park Rapids, Mn. The family grew crops to feed their livestock, and the children attended a one-room country school through eighth grade before transferring to town for high school. Ken went on to study engineering at the University of Minnesota, where he also served in the U.S. Army National Guard. He remained an active and loyal alumnus well into his 80s, returning to Minnesota every year.
Ken began his engineering career in Seattle, Washington, where he married Kathy Corliss and became the father of two sons, Kevin (1962) and Kyle (1966). The family later relocated to northern Los Angeles, where Ken worked in aerospace and earned a master's degree in aerospace engineering from USC. In 1966, he moved to San Diego, becoming an active member of Clairemont Lutheran Church, working for the California Highway Department and San Diego County, and completing a second master’s degree at SDSU.
Ken and Kathy divorced in 1966, but soon afterward he met Joyce Anderson at the Lutheran church. They married in 1971, settled on Palmyra Avenue in Clairemont, and welcomed their daughter Kristen in 1981. Ken and Joyce shared over 30 years of marriage and traveled extensively together, visiting Sweden, Norway, China, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, and many other destinations.
Ken was a devoted and enthusiastic grandfather of four, visiting them often. Though soft-spoken, he was deeply social and engaged with his community. He was an active member of the Lutheran church, a championship bridge player, a square-dancing enthusiast, an avid crossword puzzler, and perhaps most famously, a passionate San Diego Padres fan. His devotion ran so deep that he once traveled with fellow fans on a chartered jet to see Tony Gwynn inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
Independent-minded and intellectually curious, Ken was a keen observer of local, national, and world events. He had traveled nearly everywhere yet remained firmly rooted in his beloved city of San Diego. In 2024, as Parkinson’s disease progressed, he moved from his longtime Clairemont home to Westmont of La Mesa. He often expressed a desire to remain close to Clairemont Lutheran and deeply appreciated the visits from pastors and congregation members, as well as updates on the construction of the new fellowship hall. Although Westmont offered memory care, he never needed it — his memory remained one of his greatest strengths. Ultimately, Parkinson’s took its toll, leading to the recommendation for hospice care and his peaceful passing on January 9, 2026.
A memorial reception will be held at Clairemont Mortuary on February 6 from 5–8 p.m. A service will follow at Clairemont Lutheran Church on February 7 at 9:30 a.m., with interment at El Camino Cemetery at 12 noon.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Ken’s honor to Clairemont Lutheran Church and the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego.
Church Bulletin
Kenneth Charles Hanson
1936–2026
Kenneth Charles Hanson of San Diego passed away on January 9, 2026, following complications of Parkinson’s disease. Born in Alta, Iowa, and raised on a Minnesota farm, Ken studied engineering at the University of Minnesota and served in the U.S. Army National Guard. His career took him to Seattle, Los Angeles, and ultimately San Diego, where he earned two master’s degrees and became a devoted member of Clairemont Lutheran Church.
Ken was a world traveler, a championship bridge player, a square‑dancing enthusiast, an avid crossword puzzler, and a lifelong San Diego Padres fan. Above all, he was a loving father and grandfather.
He is survived by his brother Ralph; his children Kristen Ross (Randy) and Kevin Hanson (Heather); and grandchildren Olivia, Miles, Elizabeth, and Kevin Jr. He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, his son Kyle, and siblings Donald and Marcella.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clairemont Lutheran Church or the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego.
Newspaper Version
Kenneth Charles Hanson, longtime resident of San Diego, died on January 9, 2026, at Westmont of La Mesa Assisted Living after complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was 89.
Born in Alta, Iowa, Ken was raised on a family farm in Park Rapids, Minnesota, and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in engineering. He served in the U.S. Army National Guard and began his career in Seattle before moving to Los Angeles, where he worked in aerospace and earned a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from USC. In 1966 he relocated to San Diego, completing a second master’s degree at SDSU and working for the California Highway Department and San Diego County.
Ken was an active member of Clairemont Lutheran Church and a passionate traveler who visited all seven continents. He enjoyed bridge, square dancing, crossword puzzles, and cheering for the San Diego Padres.
He is survived by his brother Ralph Hanson; daughter Kristen Ross (Randy) of Tampa, Florida; son Kevin Hanson (Heather) of Long Island, New York; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, son Kyle, and siblings Donald and Marcella.
A viewing will be held February 6 at Clairemont Mortuary, with services on February 7 at Clairemont Lutheran Church and interment at El Camino Cemetery. Donations may be made to Clairemont Lutheran Church or the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego.
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