Kenneth Blaeser, age 82, of Mahnomen, MN, died peacefully on Friday, October 23, 2015, in his home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Kenneth Peter Blaeser was born on July 30, 1933, to Hubert and Winnifred (Doerfler) Blaeser in Mahnomen, MN. At the tender age of 17, he left high school and joined the United States Army. He served from 1950 to 1953, with some of this time spent in Vietnam. Following an honorable discharge, Kenny returned to the Mahnomen area where he worked as a city policeman for a few years before moving to Minneapolis, MN. Kenneth was united in marriage to Marion Riegert in Iowa in 1959. The couple made their home in St. Paul, MN, where Kenny worked various jobs including managing a bar called the "Dale Street Inn". The majority of their lives were spent in the Twin Cities area. When it came time to raise and support a family, Kenny settled down and took a job at American Hoist. After many years of employment, American Hoist was sold and Kenny took an early retirement. In the 1980's, Marion and Kenny moved back to Mahnomen and built their dream home…a log cabin. Marion passed away at home in March of 2012 and Kenny remained in their home until his death.

Kenneth enjoyed fishing, bowling, and golfing. He loved deer hunting, especially with family and friends in the Baudette area. As Ken's health declined he reluctantly had to give these things up. Kenny was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, Mahnomen Rod and Gun, Mahnomen Area Sportsman Club and the Mahnomen American Legion Isaacson-Bjorge Post #31.

Kenneth is survived by his daughter, Jean (Randy) Sauck, Mahnomen, MN; his sister, Jeanine Biagini, St. Paul, MN; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Leo (Germaine) Riegert, Waubun, MN, Milton (Joanne) Ripley, White Bear Lake, MN; special nephew, Kenneth (Christie) Riegert, Sabin, MN; five step-grandchildren and four step great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces. Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife, Marion, his parents, and infant son, Kenneth Jr.

Memorial Mass was held Saturday, October 31, 2015, at 2:00 pm at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Time of gathering was one hour prior to the service.