Kenneth Hanic

Kenneth Ken Louis Hanic, age 59, of Ashland, Montana passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at his home of natural causes.

Ken was born on July 18, 1950 in Miles City, Montana, the son of Joseph L. Hanic and Katherine Pal (Pegram) Lenyard. After his father's passing at a very young age, Ken was raised by his stepfather, Carl Lenyard. He attended grade school in Ashland and high school in Broadus and Colstrip. He graduated from Colstrip High School in 1968. He attended Montana State University in Bozeman for a short amount of time before being drafted into the U.S. Army. After being injured in Vietnam and earning a purple heart, Ken was sent to South Korea to be a Military Policeman. While in South Korea, he met and married Hwa Soon Jeanie Bang. When he was discharged from the service, he moved back to Ashland with his new bride and married her again in a ceremony with the Justice of the Peace in Forsyth. They had two children together, Thadlee and Carla. Ken was also blessed with two grandchildren, Alexandra and Anthony.

Ken worked for St. Labre Indian Schools for 37 years and retired in 2005 as the maintenance supervisor. He didn't stay retired long and went back to work for the Ashland Water and Sewer District and as a part-time bartender for the Office Bar in Ashland. Ken was also known around town as being the local handyman and always willing to try to fix anything.

Ken loved to golf, hunt, and spend time with his friends and family. He was often described as a quiet man until he got to know you. He always had a funny story to share about one of his many adventures. It was easy to tell when a story was about to be told by the big smirk and twinkle in his eye that always ended with a good belly laugh. Ken was very generous. He was always willing to help someone in need and asked very little in return. He made sure that those he loved and cared about were taken care of. Most of all, he loved to cook and feed the town. It was his way of saying thank you and letting you know that he liked you. He will be greatly missed by many for his kindness to those around him.

Ken was preceded in death by father, Joseph Hanic, his stepfather, Carl Lenyard, his grandparents Vernon and Josephine Pegram and John and Elizabeth Hanic, along with numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Ken is survived by his wife, Hwa Soon Jeanie Hanic, his son, Thadlee Hanic, his daughter, Carla Hanic and her fianc, Edward Murray, two grandchildren, Alexandra and Anthony Hanic, his mother, Katherine Pal Lenyard, his uncle, Vernon Maurice Pegram, sisters, Arlene (Ron) Karlin, Rubena Lenyard, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.