Kenneth Hansen

Kenneth Eugene Hansen, 85, of Chappell, NE passed away Sunday, October 11 at the Sedgwick County Health Center in Julesburg, CO.

Due to COVID concerns, private services for immediate family will be held at the Berea Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 24 at 2:30 p.m.

Holechek-Bondegard Funeral Home and Cremations in Chappell is serving the Hansen family.

Memorials in Kenneth's name can be made to the Chappell Rural Fire Board.

Kenneth was born June 14, 1935 in Chappell NE to Harry Hansen and Anna Elmquist.  He graduated from Chappell High School in 1952 and Luther College in Wahoo NE in 1954.  Kenneth also proudly served his country in the XVI United States Army Corps.

On August 25, 1957, Kenneth and Delores Borchert were united in marriage at the Methodist Church in Chappell. Kenneth and Delores lived and still own the farm that they started their lives together northeast of Chappell.  He chose to be a farmer and he was indeed a steward of the land, always understanding and responding to what was needed to produce a crop and livelihood for his family while preserving the land.  Kenneth and Delores were honored with a Conservation Award and the Omaha World-Herald’s Master Conservationist Award in September 1998.  He stayed active in farm activities until his death.  He loved animals and was a guardian of his pets as well as other wildlife that may have been lucky enough to wonder onto their farm.  While he was successful in so many areas in life, his real love and pride was his family. 

Kenneth is survived by his wife Delores and their two children, DeEtta (Terry) and family of Fort Collins, CO, and Greg (Amy) and family of Chappell.  His four grandkids (Melissa & Chris, Travis, Sonya & Zach and Dexter) and four great grandkids (Brookelyn, Kole, Ayden & Ethan) were the apple of his eye and they could tell you stories upon stories on what their Grandpa did for them.  He is also survived by his brother Larry (Susan) and their family of Chappell, NE. as well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and countless friends.   

Kenneth was a lifelong member of Berea Lutheran Church and he was instrumental in the cemetery cleanup and did not miss any of the cleanups until his illness took over. Through the years, he was a member of the Chappell School Board, Election Board, Rural Fire Board, Berea Lutheran Church Board, FHA Board, ASCS Board, Elks and Lions member.  Often you saw Kenneth on the sidelines of the Chappell High School football games running the chains.  He also worked for the Deuel County ASCS office for 10+ years. 

There was not a weekend that went by that he did not enjoy watching the Cornhuskers football games as he was a true “Go Big Red” fan.  Because he was in a Colorado facility, the family was told that he would sing the Nebraska fight song as he went through the hallways of Sedgwick County Memorial Nursing Home.  Ken enjoyed life, family members and many friends.  He was always there to brighten the lives of others.  He had a passion of teasing anyone that would tolerate his humor.  The nurses at the Sedgwick County nursing home said that they will miss his funny wit and his teasing manner.