Kenneth Warren

Kenneth C. Warren, age 83, Browns Valley, passed away Sunday, January 5, 2024, at the Browns Valley Health Center.

Funeral Services will be Saturday, January 11, at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Presbyterian Church in Browns Valley officiated by Rev. Jim Probst.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Kenneth Charles Wawrzyniak was born January 19,1941, to Casimir and Frances (Jurazek) Wawrzyniak of Chicago, Illinois. When he was 21, Ken legally changed his last name to Warren.

Ken graduated from St. Rita's High School and attended art school in Chicago. He later attended college in Joliet, Illinois to become an airplane mechanic. Working the night shift wasn't what the young Ken wanted. He looked for other employment and found his occupational pursuit with Komatsu where he became Purchasing Manager and was with the company for 38+ years.

Ken was married and divorced and had four sons, Michael, Mark, Jason and Ken, and his daughter Michelle, when he met Stephanie. He welcomed stepsons Jim and Jason Probst when he and Stephanie were married October 27, 1990.

Ken and Stephanie were living in Tennessee when he retired. They had been looking for a home in northern Minnesota but found it in Browns Valley, Stephanie's hometown where family already lived. Ken moved his bride to Browns Valley on January 2, 2002. Thus began their life in a small town where they have many special friends with big hearts.

Ken's love for the community led him to be on the council of the United Methodist Presbyterian Church, the advisory board of the Browns Valley Health Center and a council member for the City of Browns Valley. He was a member of the United Methodist Presbyterian Church.

Earlier in his life, Ken built decks and patios for friends and neighbors, and when he retired, his passion for building grew. Ken remodeled and added onto their home in Browns Valley, built furniture to donate at auctions and benefits, made furniture for family and friends and his wife, and once he even made a wooden casket for a friend's cherished dog.

Ken loved woodworking and had a keen eye for a broken limb or stump that he could turn into art. He would happily mend broken chairs or tables for people in the community.

Ken was an avid outdoorsman who liked taking care of his yard. Fishing and deer hunting made him happy whether on his own, with a friend or with his family. "Oh Canada," the song, was bellowed out every time he fished up there.

Between them, Ken and Stephanie have 18 grandchildren and three great grandchildren, all very loved and each one special. Living far apart made the times together that more wonderful when Ken would fish with them, hunt with them, play card games; and when they were little and visiting here, Bapa/Grandpa Ken, always took the grandkids to the best place in town, Hardware Hank, where all sorts of treats were found.

Ken always had candy for the little ones, and big ones, and was known as the "Popsicle Man" by many little daycare kids. He also had treats for the special dogs on his way to visit friends, keeping them in his car for the ready.

Throughout his life, Ken was a generous man, helping whoever needed help, giving of his time and talents and loving life. He was truly a builder who lovingly constructed a blended family and a life that was well lived.

God took Ken home just as a buck and a doe passed by Ken's window at the Browns Valley Healthcare Center on a Sunday morning.

Ken is survived by his wife Stephanie; his sons Michael (Carolyn), Mark (Jenni), Jason (Chatham) and Ken (Kerry); stepsons Jim (Julie) and Jason (Kristi); 18 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; his sister Kathy (Roy) Menoni; sister-in-law Denise (Mark) Neely; brothers-in-law Mark (Candi) Goehring and Jack (Sue) Goehring; his beloved nieces and nephews; and cherished friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter.