Joseph Briese of Watkins died Sunday, July 22, 2007, at Hilltop Care Center in Watkins. He was 78.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 25, at the United Methodist Church in Kimball with Pastor Heather E. Klason officiating. Interment was in Kimball Cemetery.
Joseph M. “Joe” Briese was born Dec. 9, 1928, at Dawson, N.D., to George and Gertrude (Birrenkott) Briese. He served his country during the Korean War from 1951-1954. Joe married Doris Mahin April 24, 1959, in Dawson, and they farmed the family farm. In 1969, the couple moved to Golden Valley and later Bloomington. While living in the cities, Joe was employed first at Iten Chevrolet, and then worked for the city of Richfield. In 1978, the couple moved to Watkins and built a home on Clear Lake. Joe first worked for Fenton Motors in Litchfield before taking a job at Meeker County Cooperative Light and Power in 1981. He retired from the co-op in 1992, after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. In March of 2006, Joe moved to Hilltop Care Center in Watkins. Joe enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, camping, card playing, golfing woodworking and spending time with his children, grandchildren, famly and friends.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister; brothers LaVern, Don and George Briese; and sisters, LaVina Woessner and Leona Briese.
He is survived by his wife Doris Briese of Watkins; children and their spouses David Briese of Watkins, Wendy Briese of Clear Lake, Mike (and Jone) Briese St. Michael, Neal (and Kristi) Briese of Clearwater, Reneen (and Jeff) Babbitt of Watkins; grandchildren Danielle, Scott and Malia of Watkins, Ryan of North Dakota, Erin and Lance of St. Michael; brothers and sisters and their spouses Ray (and Mardy) Briese of Oregon, Fern Determan of Burnsville, Shirley (and Tom) May of Arizona; brother-in-law Duane (and Lorene) Mahin of North Dakota; sisters-in-law Phyllis Briese of Iowa, Evelyn Briese of North Dakota and Pat Briese of Arizona; many nieces and nephews.
Casket bearers were Brion Mahin, Ron Briese, Keith McCain, Jay Houghton, Ron Determan and Clayton Carlson. Arrangements were made by Ertl Funeral Home in Watkins.