COUNCIL #945 - OWATONNA REMEMBERS
JOE BRECKNER

 

Joe Breckner of Elysian formerly of Owatonna died Sept. 30, 2017 at his home. Mass of Christian Burial is set for Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017 at 1:00 pm at All Saints Catholic Church in Madison Lake, MN (605 4th St.) There will be a live stream of the funeral for those who are unable to attend at www.as-ic.org. Friends may greet the family from 11 am until the time of the liturgy at the church. A private family interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery.
Joe was born on September 4, 1940 in Hastings MN., to Albert and Mary Breckner (Schweich). He graduated from St. Boniface Catholic grade school and Hastings High School. He earned a BA in Political Science from Mankato State College. Upon graduation from college and completing his military obligation, he married his high school sweetheart, Marlene Breckner (Gerlach) on May 9th, 1964. After a successful sales career with IBM, he and Marlene went on to purchase the Partridge Greenhouse in Owatonna, MN. Joe got his real estate brokers license and worked with Action Realty. He worked for many years with his brothers at Data Sales Corp. Later he developed and taught a course on customer service at Riverland Technical College in Faribault. In 1996 Joe and Marlene moved to Elysian, MN and went on to build the Weekend Gardener Garden Center and Antique Loft.
Joe was a Master Gardener and loved to talk about growing things. He always believed in three pillars that supported ones' life: 1) Family, 2) Church and 3) Country. He was a member of the American Legion and served as Post Commander, a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus of Owatonna and a member of the Izaak Walton League. He was an active and involved member of the many communities he lived in.
Joe is a proud Eagle Scout who loved travel, wood working, wine making and collecting. He was an avid nature lover and was a volunteer during the winters in Florida. Joe will be remembered by his family and friends for his zest for life and inquisitive spirit.
Joe is survived by his wife, of 53 years, Marlene Breckner (Gerlach); daughters, Karen Breckner Thill and Sarah Breckner; grandchildren, Jack, Charlie, Henry and Lucia Thill, Sophia and Isabel Lombardi (Breckner) and Rebecca and Isaac Richardson; brothers, Ronald (Judy) Breckner and James (Bonnie) Breckner and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by father, Albert C. Breckner of Hastings MN, and mother, Mary V. Breckner (Schweich) of Hampton MN.
Memorials may be directed to the Salvation Army and All Saints Catholic Church of Madison Lake MN