Kenneth Virgil Bresley

Kenneth Virgil Bresley, age 77, of walker, MN, passed away on Wednesday, June 20, 2018, at his home with his family by his side.  He was born on November 17, 1940 in Chicago, IL, the only child of Virgil and Irene “Goldie” (Panoha) Bresley. 

Ken was raised in Chicago, IL, and at the age of five, he started schooling which would launch his future in the military.  He graduated from Marmion Military Academy in Aurora, IL, in 1948, and from Loyola University in Chicago, IL, in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing.  Ken served honorably in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1968, during which he completed two tours in Vietnam and obtained the rank of Captain.  In his time of service, Ken became a highly decorated soldier.  He earned (amongst other medals) the Purple Heart, Silver Star, and the Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster.  Ken was also stationed in Washington, DC, for a time and served as aide-de-camp to Secretary of Defense McNamara during the Johnson Administration.  Following his discharge from active duty, he worked many different jobs including in the Treasury Department of the United States Steel Corporation from 1968 to 1969 and then as Branch Manager of Ogden Foods, servicing College football stadium food courts in a 5-state area until 1978.

In 1978 Ken moved to Walker, MN, where he owned and operated The Tackle Box and Gift Shop.  He also owned and operated Dahlems Restaurant, Gramma Goldie’s, and the State Theatre all located in Walker, MN.  Ken also worked in sales for Village Motors and Village Homes of Walker from 1999 to 2018.  On October 11, 2002 he and Patricia (McCloskey) Lodge were united in marriage and they both continued to remain active in the Walker community.  Ken was one of the founders of the International Eelpout Festival in Walker from the mid 70’s until he sold in 2002.  He was also active with the Walker Polar Pout Plunge.  Ken served on Walker City Council and was on the board for Shingobee Township.  He was also an active member of St. Agnes Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Walker VFW Post 2701 and the Walker American Legion Post 134. 

The family that Ken joins again are his parents; Virgil and Goldie, grandparents; Alexander and Catherine Panoha, aunts; Alice Panoha and Lillian Stone.   

Those he leaves behind to cherish his memory are his loving wife; Patricia Bresley of Walker, step sons; Jason (Nicki) Lodge of Backus, and Wally Lodge of Longville, grandchildren; Sidney and Ethan Lodge; special friend; Ian Woodruff, cousins; Sharon Stone and Wayne (Nancy) Stone of Chicago, numerous brothers and sister in-laws from Pennsylvania and Montana.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 25, 2018 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Walker.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 24, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. and also one hour prior to the service also held at St. Agnes Catholic Church.  Father Timothy Lange will officiate.  Pallbearers for Ken will be Jeff Arnold, Russ Rich, Jason Lodge, Wally Lodge, Drew Arnold and Adam Arnold.  Honorary pallbearers will be Dick Anderson, Dick Kolp, Scott Bruns, Greg Hops, Charlie Thompson, Brad Walhof and Ian Woodruff.  Interment will be held in Camp Ripley State Cemetery in Little Falls, MN on Tuesday.

Memorials preferred to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 5353 Wayzata Blvd. #50, Minneapolis, MN 55416.

Ken’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN.  Online condolences for the family may be given at www.northernpeace.com

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