Ken Hansen, 77, born to Thomas Percy and Lois Eugenia (Woodward) Hansen on September 10, 1945 in Hobart, Oklahoma.
Growing up in Carlsbad and most recently living in Silver City, NM, Ken Hansen died of cancer and heart complications on April 29, 2023.
He graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1964, and attended college briefly at NMSU. He then was drafted into the Army, where he served in Viet Nam. He often volunteered to take point, and in his spare time, flew recon as a spotter in a single engine aircraft. Afterwards, he came home to Carlsbad and worked for a while at one of the mines. He left on a year-long sojourn up the west coast in his Air Force surplus Chevrolet Suburban which he bid on and bought for $111.11. He drove the Suburban for several years and had many memorable adventures in it.
Ken settled in Reno, Nevada and worked many years in an open pit gold mine primarily as a surveyor, above and below ground, until he retired with disabilities from his service. He moved to Silver City a number of years ago.
His long-time partner and best friend Karen Rossman said, “His joy was the great outdoors all by himself, hunting for archaeological artifacts and cutting the impossible dead tree for firewood. It's been a hard year for him and those who love him as there was much to love. His siblings, their partners, nieces, and nephews were captivated by his detailed knowledge of and experiences outdoors. He stonewalled his diagnosis and kept his secrets. He never would let any animal suffer and suffering is all he had left.
He was predeceased by his parents, Tom and Lois Hansen, his sister-in-law, Diane; and is survived by siblings (in birth order), Jerry Hansen, Don Hansen, Tom Frank Hansen and wife Anita, Sandra Hansen-Matheny and husband Bob, Susan Colender and husband Craig; and his partner Karen Rossman.
Ken never married and left no children.
A private inurnment will be held at Fort Bayard National Cemetery with his family and loved ones present.
Cremation has taken place at Terrazas Crematory. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels “Trusted care for the ones you love” ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.