Kenneth E. Hanson

Kenneth Hanson, age 94 of Viroqua, died Friday, October 31, 2008. Kenneth E. Hanson, age 94 of Viroqua, passed away on Friday, October 31, 2008 at the Bethel Home. He was born on April 25, 1914, at Mason City, Vernon County, to Lewis and Ragnilde (Josvanger) Hanson. He attended Ole Torger Elementary School and was confirmed at North Kickapoo Lutheran Church. After graduating from Viroqua High School, he attended Vernon County Normal School and graduated in 1935 and taught for one year at the Foreaker School. Kenneth and his brother-in-law, Ingvar Overbo, purchased the Williams Family Shoe Store on Main Street in Viroqua. They operated the Overbo and Hanson Shoe Store together until 1944, when it became the Hanson Shoe Store. Kenneth married Charlotte Hetland on May 30, 1936 at the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Iowa. They lived in Viroqua all their married life and both retired from working at the shoe store in 1983. Throughout his business career, Kenneth was active in community affairs, serving as a charter member of the Viroqua Lions Club (1947), an 8-year member of the Viroqua Board of Education, and many years on the board of Citizens First Bank. He was president of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for three years and treasurer for 14 years, during which time the current building was constructed. He served as chairman of the Vernon Memorial Hospital Board and the Hospital Foundation Board as well as the Chamber of Commerce and the Merchants Club. Kenneth was also the proud owner of the Hanson-Lewison Dairy Farm on Viroquas north side. Kenneth is survived by his son, Roger (Bonnie) of Indio, CA; granddaughters, Angela (Doug) Ash of Roseville, CA and Tamara (Jeff) Platt, of Anaheim Hills, CA; great-grandchildren: Tyler Ash, Austin Ash, Logan Ash, Kendall Platt and Hunter Platt; sister-in-law, Freda Hanson of Platteville, WI and many nieces and nephews. Kenneth is also survived by Bernice Schroeder of Viroqua who has been his dear friend and companion for the past 20 years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte (1988); infant daughter, Audrey Jean; brothers Martin and Arnold and sisters, Ella Vold, Ida Olson, Lydia Peterson Marshall and Louise Olson. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua. Pastors Margaret Eiben-Hoversten and Lindsay Paul Jordan will officiate with burial in the Viroqua Cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 123 W. Decker St. in Viroqua. Friends may also call at the church on Wednesday after 10:00 a.m. Memorials may be given to the Vernon Memorial Hospital, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or the Bethel Home. A special thanks to the devoted staff at Bethel Home for their care and compassion. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.