Keith Hanson

Keith Charles Hanson, loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed away Thursday, September 22, 2022.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at St. Michael’s Traditional Roman Catholic Church, Mandan, ND with Rev. May as celebrant. Burial will be at Oriska Cemetery, Oriska, ND.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 30, 2022, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Rosary/Parish Vigil at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

Born May 7th, 1974, Keith was the eldest of four siblings raised by parents Dawn and John Hanson of Carson, ND.  He was a great big brother and loving cousin, always helping out with babysitting and different jobs around the house and farm. Growing up he developed a love of sports and excelled in high school basketball and football for the Carson Chieftains. After graduating high school, he moved to Bismarck and attended Bismarck State College graduating with a degree in Computer Science. Keith had a great personality and made friends easily. He developed many lifelong friendships while living in Bismarck and remained close to his “Bismarck Buds” throughout the years.

He began work in the automotive service industry, making it his career for the next 25 years between Bismarck, Fargo, Minnesota and Missouri.  Strong friendships naturally grew among coworkers and customers alike and he left a lasting impression on them. His dedication, compassion, mentorship, and servant heart made him a well loved and respected employee and manager.

Keith was definitely a family man and considered it his greatest privilege to lead, guide, and provide for them. His children meant the world to him. Jordan gave Keith the first opportunity to be a dad, a role he embraced. Keith loved to teach him new things and always set a loving example for “Jordo”. Then his beautiful daughter, KennaDee, came along and stole his heart. From the moment she was born, Keith was fiercely protective of his “Doodle”. He loved his little girl like no other. KennaDee married two years ago and she and her husband Casey gave Keith the immense joy of becoming a grandpa to baby Callie Lynn just over a year ago. He was so proud to be a grandpa and Callie Girl loved her PawPaw so much already. Tristan was his “Little Man” and had a very special bond that Keith cherished. They shared many hobbies together including their love of basketball, cars, and music. Keith was so proud of his beautiful children and it was his life’s happiness to help raise them.

Keith faithfully loved his wife, Vaune, and they were together for almost twenty wonderful years. They were blessed in marriage and recently celebrated their 14^th wedding anniversary. Their life together was filled with family time, plenty of laughter, romance, and adventure. He took great pride and joy in being her husband and showed his love and devotion to her every day.  Their love was endless, always and forever. 

Keith loved his parents and respected the important life lessons he learned from them. He treasured his relationships with his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was beloved by his nieces and nephews and shared a true kinship with his brother and sister in laws.  His friends were many and each of them held a very special place in his heart. 

The man’s love language was food. He made every kitchen the heart of that home. He loved large family gatherings and prepared delicious feasts around the holidays and special occasions. He enjoyed smoking meats and had dreams of owning a food truck. He loved music and genres of all kinds particularly 80’s Monster ballads, Elvis, and the Eagles. He was a great dancer, loved to sing karaoke, play poker, blackjack, and billiards. He was a loyal Raiders and Lakers fan. He loved traveling and took the family on many fun road trips. Keith’s personality filled a room and people would flock to his company, eager to listen to one of his stories or endless supply of jokes and witty banter. He was always the life of the party and made each one memorable.

Keith worked hard, played hard, and prayed even harder. Despite his grueling, year-long battle against cancer, he relied heavily on his Catholic faith to help him carry his cross with humble patience and resignation alongside our Savior Jesus Christ. He held a special devotion to St. Padre Pio and was dedicated to praying the daily rosary of Our Blessed Virgin Mary. He developed many meaningful relationships among his church family in Missouri and North Dakota and felt lifted up by their prayers, as well as those from close family and friends. He was so touched and humbled by the outpouring of love and support.

Keith touched many lives by the simple kindness he never failed to give. The memory of his huge heart and giving nature will be forever missed. He is survived by his wife Vaune Hanson of Bismarck; three children, Jordan Bitz; KennaDee (Casey) Carlson, and Tristan Ertelt all of Bismarck; granddaughter Callie Lynn; parents Dawn and John Hanson of Carson; siblings Tammy Hinrichs of Tioga, Alisha (Travis) Ruscheinsky of Carson; Misty (Terry) Nagel of Heil; along with many beloved nieces, nephews, in laws, cousins, aunts, uncles, extended family, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, uncle, and cousin/god daughter, Jodi Lynn Pfliiger.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a memorial donation be made to help offset the cost of funeral and burial expenses.

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