Kenneth E. Warner

1941 - 2026

Owatonna - Kenneth E. Warner, age 84, passed away at the Owatonna Hospital on March 8, 2026, following a prolonged battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and a brief battle with pneumonia. Kenny was born September 11, 1941, in Owatonna, MN, to Edward and Mary (Spindler) Warner and was raised on the family farm working alongside his dad. He graduated in 1959 with honors in agriculture and FFA from Owatonna High School. 4-H projects also brought him trips to state to compete, especially in the beef project. Kenny was a dairy and crop farmer and he especially relished the joy and laughter when the neighbors worked together to thresh grain and fill their silos.

Kenny married Jenell McKee on February 27, 1971, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Austin, MN, in a blizzard. The wedding was attended by a very few hearty folks and the food and cake frozen for later celebrations including a dance at Zeiner's Ballroom and a reception at the Pfeifer farm two weeks later. Kenny and Jenell recently marked 55 years together and they had three children: Eileen, Jeff and Joleen.

Kenny continued farming while raising his family with Jenell. His dairy operation ended in 1999 after a fire destroyed his main barn. Kenny continued to raise crops and worked for Walmart for almost 16 years. Kenny was also active in the Farmer's Union, Sacred Heart Church and a life member of the Knights of Columbus. Never idle, Kenny could often be found sawing downed trees, picking rocks in the fields, maintaining fences and once concocting an elaborate steel scarecrow to keep the geese out of the soybeans.

Later in life he maintained a small herd of goats, each personally named by him. These goats brought him great joy except for that mean, head butting Billy. Kenny was especially proud of his Farmall B tractor and his fancy zero turn Toro Titan, on which he often defied gravity mowing ditches around the farm. Kenny also enjoyed a good game of cards or Bingo and a nice bowl of ice-cream before turning in for the evening. He loved his family dearly, especially celebrating the holidays with his 8 grandchildren and watching them compete in their sporting events.

Kenny is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jenell; children Eileen (Jason) Piccolo of Falls Church, VA, Jeff (Jessica) Warner of Medford, MN, and Joleen Zaccaria of Owatonna; grandchildren Jonathan and Emelia Piccolo; Rylan, Bryson and Elliana Warner; and Logan, Angela and Olivia Zaccaria; sister Shirley (Dave) Pfeifer of Owatonna, brother-in-law Jeff Schmidt of Wisconsin.

Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, sister Diane Schmidt, and his in-laws George and Leone McKee.

Friends may greet the family Sunday, March 15, 2026, from 2:00-4:00 PM at Brick-Meger Funeral Home (1603 Austin Rd, Owatonna). A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 4:00 PM. Visitation will continue Monday, March 16, 2026, from 10:00-11:00 AM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church (810 S. Cedar, Owatonna), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Donations may be directed to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Owatonna.

For more information or to leave an online message of condolence, go to www.megercares.com