Kenny Alfred Westbrock
Kenneth A. Westbrock, age 82 of Browns Valley, Minnesota, passed away Monday, May 20, 2024, in Fargo, North Dakota, at the Sanford Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.
Visitation for Kenny Westbrock will be held Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Browns Valley, MN.
Funeral services for Kenneth A. Westbrock will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 23, 2024, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Browns Valley, MN, with Father John Paul Knopik officiating.
Music will be provided by organist Carmen Hills, pianist Sawyer Huff, and vocalists Kristi Westbrock and Jill Spindler.
Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery, Browns Valley, MN.
Military honors will be provided by the William Krensing American Legion Post #58 of Browns Valley, MN. Honorary pallbearers will be Paul Schaunaman, Gay Johnson, Merv Hanson, Richard Krensing, Norman Fryer, Mark Hansen, and Mike Hansen. Active pallbearers will be Jason Piechowski, Jason Westbrock, Jasper Huff, Jim Lamers, Butch Alvarado, and Kadee Davidson.
Kenneth Alfred Westbrock was born on August 21, 1941, to Norbert and Alma (Moonen) Westbrock at the family farmstead near Browns Valley. Kenny attended country school and later graduated from Browns Valley High School in 1959. After graduation, he farmed with his family until joining the United States Air Force, serving until he was honorably discharged in 1966. When he returned to Browns Valley, he farmed with his parents and began mechanic work at Hansen Oil Company. Soon he met and married the love of his life, Ginny Hansen, on January 5, 1968.
Together, Kenny and Ginny created a life of family, work, and church. Kenny continued to farm his family’s land and work for father-in-law Bob Hansen. In 1974, he become manager of Hansen Chevrolet until 1987 when he purchased the business. By then, Kenny and Ginny had raised three daughters who also gained their parents’ work ethic, love for family, and devotion to the Lord. In addition to teaching his own children to work, Kenny imparted his “tough” love to young family employees including Mike and Mark Hansen and later, nephew Jason Piechowski. Kenny also mentored Butch Alvarado, who came to Hansen Chevrolet as a 12-year-old with his hands in his pockets and left as a grown man with hands at the ready for work as an electrician.
Kenny loved to sell cars, and the men who surrounded him as employees built Hansen Chevrolet into a thriving car dealership. No matter how busy, Kenny always took time to serve his church through Knights of Columbus, council, ushering, serving communion, and calling bingo. Heart and feet issues eventually drove Kenny into retirement in 2017. Work was his passion, and slowing down was not easy, so even then, Kenny “boldly” imparted his small-town knowledge to the city through acting as a council member from 2018 to 2022, a job of which he was particularly proud. Kenny also took great pride in his grandchildren. He loved to watch them perform whether at the piano, on stage, or playing ball. Kenny’s grandkids will never forget the life “nuggets” delivered by their grandpa.
Throughout his life, Kenny touched many people beyond the family. His thick black hair graced his work-hardened face, keeping him young and handsome and a man respected by all. His hardy laugh, mischievous grin, and off-color jokes drew people to him, and many who frequented Hansen Chevrolet stopped to talk and catch up. Kenny loved to go out dancing; he and Ginny stole the spotlight on any dance floor, looking like the team they always were as they would two-step, polka, or waltz. Summer Sundays, Kenny would get his boat running to show off his slalom water skiing prowess or to give skiing lessons to his kids, his relatives’ kids, the neighbors’ kids, or any kids near the water.
Kenneth is survived by his wife: Ginny (Hansen) Westbrock; three children: Kim Davidson of Watertown, South Dakota, Kristi Westbrock (Mike Bjerkness) of Brainerd, MN, Kerri (Robert) Huff of Sisseton, SD; and honorary son: Butch (Chelsey) Alvarado of Sisseton, SD; grandchildren: Kadee Davidson, Sawyer and Jasper Huff, and Emily Bjerkness; three siblings: Jim Westbrock, Leon (Patt) Westbrock, and Koko (Glenn) Miller; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents: Norbert and Alma Westbrock; his father and mother-in-law: Robert and Lois Hansen; two brothers: Wayne and David Westbrock; and one sister: Lois (Westbrock) Driscoll.
Arrangements are with Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt, SD.
