Kenneth Mathew Hennen

Kenneth M. Hennen, age 91, of Maple Lake died Friday, January 15, 2021 at the Buffalo Hospital due to complications of congestive heart failure.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 22, 2021 at St. Timothy Catholic Church, Maple Lake with Fr. John Meyer as Celebrant. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Timothy Catholic Cemetery. A walk through visitation without family present will be held from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday and 8:30-9:30 a.m. Friday, both at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Maple Lake. Masks are required, and social distancing guidelines and capacity limitations will be observed. The funeral will be live-streamed on the funeral home's website.

Kenneth Mathew Hennen was born January 5, 1930 near Watkins, Minnesota to Albert and Barbara (Erpelding) Hennen. Kenny grew up on the family farm and attended country school in District 50 and District 55. On September 15, 1951, he was united in marriage to Margaret Magdalena Loch at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Watkins. After being drafted in 1952, Kenny honorably and proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. While in the Army, Kenny obtained his GED. Kenny and Marge made their home in Maple Lake, where they raised their two children. Kenny worked at Salzer Lumber Company and in 1965 he and Marge purchased the business and renamed it Maple Lake Lumber. Together, they owned and operated the family company for 27 years and in 1992, they sold the business to the next generation.

Believing in being active in his church and community, Kenny belonged to St. Timothy Catholic Church, the Father O'Brien's Council Knights of Columbus #3613, and Catholic Order of Foresters. Kenny was a member of the Maple Lake Lions, a board member at Maple Manor and a two term President of the Maple Lake Commercial Club. He served on the Maple Lake Fire Department for 38 years and on the Maple Lake City Council for 8 years. Kenny was a lifelong member of the Maple Lake VFW Post #7664. For over 60 years, he was a member of the Maple Lake American Legion Post #131 where he was the Sergeant of Arms. Kenny was honored as Grand Marshal of the Maple Lake St. Patrick's Day Celebration, was the recipient of the Minneapolis Aquatennial Award and was the 2006 Outstanding Senior Citizen of Wright County. He was an avid baseball fan, was a former coach of the Maple Lake American Legion Team and volunteered countless hours at Maple Lake Irish Stadium. Kenny enjoyed hunting, watching or attending sporting events, playing cards, taking trips to the cabin in Nevis, and fishing in the winter with his grandkids.

Kenny is survived by his wife of 69 years, Margaret of Maple Lake; children and their spouses, Daryl and Kathy Hennen and Deanna and Mike Lauer, both of Maple Lake; 6 grandchildren, Valerie Enter, Brad Hennen, Adam Hennen, Tony Hennen, Jordan Lauer, and Dominic Lauer; 12 great-grandchildren, Emily and Nathan Enter, Megan, Evan, Logan, Grant, Griffin, Dylan, Kalli, and Kenna Hennen and Owen and Molly Lauer; great great grandchild, Paisley Gramsey; siblings, Leila Froehling of Watkins, Jeanette Libbesmeier of Watkins, and Shirley Schoonover of Brainerd; many nieces, nephews, other family members, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Barbara Hennen; brother, Harold Hennen; twin sister, Kathleen Theisen; sister, Delrose Mies; and brothers-in-law, Edwin Theisen, Verlin Mies, Eldred Froehling, Dan Schoonover and Richard Libbesmeier.

Kenny's grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Sarah Goelz will provide music for the service. Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Maple Lake.

Obituary, Tribute Wall, Video Tribute and Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com