Wayne Briese — Grand Meadow

The funeral service for Wayne Roger Briese, 79, of Grand Meadow, will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pleasant Valley, Minn., with the Rev. Colin Duling officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Mr. Briese died peacefully with family close by at Seasons Hospice on Feb. 25, 2016, following a lengthy illness with cancer.

Wayne Briese was born Feb. 5, 1937, in Rochester, to Stephen and Helen (Betcher) Briese. He grew up in High Forest, attended Stewartville schools and graduated from Stewartville High School in 1955.

Wayne was married on April 4, 1964, at Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville to Lucille "Lucy" M. McClellan. A longtime farmer and enthusiast of Oliver & White tractors, Wayne and Lucy farmed in rural Stewartville until building a new home in Pleasant Valley Township, where they farmed and raised their family. Employed by the Kahler Hotel, Lucy died on Nov. 17, 1998, following an automobile accident in Rochester.

Wayne was a longtime active member of Pleasant Valley Immanuel Lutheran Church, as well as the Pleasant Valley Township Board, and member of the Minnesota National Guard. Wayne enjoyed bowling in both the Stewartville and Rochester men's bowling leagues for many years, was an avid Twins and Vikings fan and especially enjoyed spending time with friends and family.

Wayne is survived by his two sons, Roger (daughter-in-law, Alison Dermer), of Minneapolis, and Tom, of South St. Paul; sister, Nancy Henke (brother-in-law, John), of High Forest; brother, William "Buck" Briese (sister-in-law, Carol), of Stewartville; loving nieces and nephews; and supportive girlfriend, Shiela Mehling.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucy, and mother, Helen.

Visitation will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, at Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville and one hour prior to the service at Immanuel Lutheran Church Tuesday morning.

Arrangements by Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville, griffin-gray.com.