Kenneth Russel Hansen, 83

Kenneth Russel Hansen, 83, passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2009, in Kalispell, of natural causes. He was born Jan. 20, 1926, in Kenmare, N.D., to Bendix and Elsie (Rytter) Hansen.

Ken graduated from Kenmare High School in 1944. He was an accomplished artist in many areas. He played three musical instruments, started his own dance band and also played the tuba in the high school marching band.

He enlisted in the Navy and trained as a Navy pilot.

Ken graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical sciences and a minor in art. He also received his dental degree from Northwestern Dental School in 1956.

Ken married Adell Wolf in Dickinson, N.D., in 1950 and they moved to Missoula where he had a dental practice until 1978. He and Adell retired to their Flathead Lake cabin where they lived until his death.

He had two successful careers, dentistry and in retirement became a nationally known and recognized watercolor artist. He had a wide range of paintings — still life, scenery and his favorite, abstracts, which he loved the most. When asked, "Ken, you can paint anything that looks like something, so why paint something that looks like nothing?," he replied, "Because I can."

Ken is survived by his wife, Adell Hansen, of Polson; two children, Kirk Hansen of Bigfork, and Kristn Davis and husband, Bill, of Kalispell; four grandchildren, Kole, Kassi, Kody and Kirk; also several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services for Kenneth will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 25, at the First Presbyterian Church, 301 Fourth Ave. E., in Polson.

The family suggests memorials be given to Sandpiper Gallery, 306 Main St., Polson, MT 59860; or the First Presbyterian Church, 301 Fourth Ave. E., Polson, MT 59860.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Ken's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Ken's guest book.