Kenneth J. Hiemenz, 89
April 24, 1934-Dec. 26, 2023
St. Joseph
Kenneth J. Hiemenz, 89, of St. Joseph, died Dec. 26 at the Country Manor Campus in Sartell. His funeral was held at 11 a.m. Jan. 3 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, in St. Joseph. The Rev. Brad Jenniges, OSB, officiated. Burial, with full military honors, was held at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery in Little Falls.
Hiemenz was born April 24, 1934 to Arthur and Edith (Philippi) Hiemenz in St. Cloud. He honorably served his country in the U.S Army and Army Reserve from which he eventually retired. While stationed in France, he met the love of his life, Aloisia M. “Luise” Linke. They were married on Sept. 13, 1958 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Schwäbisch Hall, West Germany. After his military service, Hiemenz worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as a wildlife appraiser and realty specialist, retiring after 20-plus years of service and at the St. Cloud V.A. Medical Center as a nursing assistant. Hiemenz served with many organizations including the following: serving as mayor of St. Joseph from 1997 until 2001, as a member of the St. Joseph City Council Planning and Zoning Committee; past president of the St. Joseph Rod and Gun Club, where he also taught firearms training; co-founder, past president and past treasurer of the Central Minnesota Emergency Chaplaincy Service; past treasurer of the Reserve Officer Association; co-founder and former board member of the Minnesota Environmental Fund; and past president of the Minnesota Conservation Federation Association; and many others. He was also a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the St. Joseph American Legion Post 328.
Hiemenz was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. A man of many talents and hats, at his core, he enjoyed being outdoors, going hunting and fishing. When not outdoors, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Most notably he enjoyed hosting an open house, with his wife, during the St. Joseph Fourth of July Festivities and playing cards.
Survivors include the following: his sons Mike (Kim), Tom and John (Carolyn); two grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren; siblings Diana (Rich) Nustad, Judy Thelen, Jane (Paul “Schengel”) Dockendorf, David (Bronwyn) and Yvonne Lee; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Aloisia in 2021.
A special thank you to the staff of Home Instead In-Home Senior Care, Comfort Keepers and Country Manor for their loving and compassionate care of Hiemenz.
