Charles William Kienast

Charles (Chuck) William Kienast, 76, of Kellogg, MN passed away on January 30, 2023 at the Mayo Clinic Hospital Methodist Campus in Rochester, MN. Charles was born on May 20, 1946 in Rochester, MN to Charles and Gladys Kienast (Bennett). He graduated from John Marshall High School in 1964 and went on to graduate from the Rochester Area Vocational Technical Institute in the Building Utilities Mechanic Program in 1974. Charles served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1968 and was honorably discharged from the Army Reserves in 1987. He married Darlene Hollenbach in 1969 and later divorced. He worked at Marigold Foods in Rochester as a Building Utilities Engineer for 43 years. Chuck's hobbies were hunting (deer, duck, pheasant, and elk), fishing and boating on the Mississippi River. He had a family cabin a block from where he built his dream home in rural Kellogg. His family enjoyed boating every weekend as his children grew up, he was a true "river rat". He also enjoyed his motorhome and 4 wheeling. He played on the Kemps men's softball team for many years while he worked at Marigold. Chuck was a MN Viking football fan and hosted many football watching parties at his home. He loved watching all sports and would often encourage (yell) at the TV for the team he was watching. Chuck was a beloved neighbor and had a long standing tradition of making Thanksgiving dinner for his neighborhood. He had many lifelong friends, including Stubb (Bud) Rommel, who he spoke with daily. He was also a dog lover, liked to drink beer and bourbon and often used colorful language. Chuck was fun to be around and always the life of the party. He enjoyed life and he lived it to the fullest. Charles is survived by his partner Randy Adams of Rochester; children Carie Chihak of Chatfield and Michael (Cheryl Ruedy) Kienast of Woodbury; 10 grandchildren Richard Born (Erial), Nathan Chihak, Alyssa Chihak, Kristina Edelbach, Jory Kamm, Hannah, Douglas, Andrea and Megan Kienast; 3 great-grandchildren Isabella, Richard and Tenley; his sister Sandra Ruiz of Riverside, CA; and his beloved dog Benelli. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Lois Sergeant and daughter's significant other, Bruce Born. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home (5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester, MN). Visitation will be held from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Saturday, February 4, 2023 at the funeral home. Interment with full military honors will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, MN at 10:00 AM Wednesday, February 8, 2023. A reception will be held 4:00 PM Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Eagle View Bar and Grill (208 Bennett Ave., Minneiska, MN 55910 507-689-4578). Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Kienast family; to share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.