Kenneth M. Briesath

You will never be more than a breath away from the center of our hearts.Kenneth Messner Briesath passed away on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at Bethesda Hosptial in St. Paul, MN.Ken was born in Pickwick, MN on April 9, 1931 to John Melvin and Myrtle May (Messner) Briesath. He grew up on a farm and loved working the soil until Alzheimers took that away. He graduated from Winona High School and enlisted in the Air Force immediately after. He served time in the Korean War. Upon discharge he met and married Martha Louise Ferguson. They have three children, Rebecca (Bradley) Zittel, Steven (Kathy) Briesath and Debra (Mark) Scholl. They were later divorced and he met and married Geanne Danzeisen who had three children, Tom Danzeisen, Kathy Briesath and Sue Williams.Ken lived in the surrounding areas throughout his life. He farmed in Rollingstone and Ridgeway while having a career at the Winona Knitting Mills for over 40 years. Whoever Ken met became a friend, he was always willing to give a helping hand and he had a big shoulder to lean on. He loved spending time with family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.He will be deeply missed by his loving wife Geanne of 37 years, his children; 10 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; three sisters, Irene (Leo) Fox, Judy (Gary) Trainor, Marge Troke; and one brother, Dick (JoAnn) Briesath.He is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Evelyn Bremer and Dorothy Hannon; and great granddaughter Sophia Mason.A Funeral Service will be held in celebration of his life at 11 am, Saturday, January 16, 2010 at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service-Hansen Chapel with the Reverend Paul Welke officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service on Saturday at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service-Hansen Chapel.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association or a charity of your choice.Please share a memory of Ken with the family, or sign his online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com.With all that you are, with all that you have done, you have made this a more beautiful world!