William "Buck" Briese

William "Buck" Briese, 86, of Stewartville, passed peacefully with his family by his side, on Friday, December 19, 2025 of natural causes, at the Stewartville Care Center, where he has been a resident since August.

William Michael Briese was born on August 8, 1939, to Stephen and Helen (Betcher ) Briese in Rochester, MN and grew up in High Forest in a house his grandfather built. He attended Stewartville High School where he wrestled and played football. He married Carol Paulette Girton on August 26th, 1960 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pleasant Valley Twsp, and they had three children. They raised their family in the Stewartville area. Buck worked as a block tender for Collins Masonry and later for Seneca Foods until retirement. He really enjoyed helping his brother, Wayne, and father-in-law, Paul, with farming. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.  He looked forward to his fifty plus years annual deer hunting trip to Waskish with his son and friends. His yearly trips to Upper Red Lake with family and friends were always a good time. He also was a huge football fan, with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers as his favorite teams. He  had a love of tractors, especially his tractor, "Lil" Red. Buck is "famous" for waving in front of his house during Happy Hour. He loved getting the honks and waves from the passersbys, especially the truck drivers from Chatfield who would blast their horns. 

William is survived by his wife Carol, of 65 years, daughters Kathy (David) LaBeaux of Talmoon, MN, Kari (Leif) Nelson of Rochester, MN, daughter-in-law, Micky Briese of High Forest, MN, grandchildren, Jackie (Chris) Hrapsky, Jessie (Erik) Magnuson, Drew LaBeaux, Justin (Corinne) LaBeaux, Sydney Briese, great-grandchildren, Caroline, Nolan, Brooks Hrapsky and Sophie and Bella Magnuson.  He was preceded in death by his son, John, parents, brother, Wayne (Lucy) Briese  and sister, Nancy (John) Henke.

Memorial services will be Tuesday, December 23 at Immanuel Lutheran Church-Pleasant Valley-73297 310th Street Racine at 11:00 a.m. with the Pastor Marc Freiberg Sr. officiating. A time of visitation for family and friends will be Monday, December 22, from 4-6 p.m. at Griffin Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville, MN and 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow at Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery.  

We would like to extend a big THANK YOU to the staff at the Stewartville Care Center for the outstanding care and support given to him and his family during the time spent there. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray FH in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Buck are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com

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