Kenneth Leroy Hanson, Sr., age 83 of Randolph, passed away Saturday August 6, 2022, at the Salina Regional Health Center.
He was born on March 25, 1939, in Manhattan, the son of Kenneth and Leona (Jensen) Hanson. He graduated from old Randolph High School in 1957.
On June 1, 1958, in Salem, Missouri, he married Bonnie Jean Burkman. She survives of the home.
Kenneth graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University with a teaching degree and began his career at Lewis, Kansas for two years, Randolph for two years and then Logan, Kansas for 27 years. During this time, he earned his master’s degree from Fort Hays State University. In 1997 he returned to Blue Valley to become the Middle and High School principal, retiring in 2004. Following his retirement, he continued to substitute teach and drive a school bus until he turned 80.
He was a member of the Alert Covenant Church and enjoyed riding horses, fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren. During his many years of teaching and coaching, he made a positive impact on many of his students and athletes.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children, Kenneth Hanson, Jr and wife Debbie of Salina, Christine Marshall and husband Cullen of Solomon, John Hanson and wife Lee Ann of Baldwin City and Julie Weidenhaft and husband Brandon of Hays; three brothers, Melvin Hanson of Hutchinson, Gene Hanson of El Dorado and Steve Hanson of Manhattan; two sisters, Shirley O’Quinn of Bartow, Florida and Wanda Murphy of Milwaukie, Oregon; nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two infant sons, Stephen and Karl Hanson.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday, August 12, 2022, at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home in Riley, Kansas.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 13, 2022, at the Alert Covenant Church with Pastor Dwight Diller officiating. The family encourages all in attendance to wear clothing from their favorite sports team. Burial will be in the Randolph Fancy Creek Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Blue Valley Foundation and left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.