Kenneth E. Warner

Kenneth E. Warner, age 84, of Owatonna, passed away at the Owatonna Hospital on March 8, 2026, following a prolonged battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and a brief battle with pneumonia.

Born on September 11, 1941, in Owatonna, Minnesota, to Edward and Mary (Spindler) Warner, Kenny grew up on the family farm, working alongside his father. He graduated with honors in agriculture and FFA from Owatonna High School in 1959. His 4-H projects, particularly in beef, took him to state competitions. A lifelong dairy and crop farmer, Kenny cherished the camaraderie and laughter shared with neighbors during threshing and silo-filling days.

In 1971, Kenny married Jenell McKee on February 27 at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin, Minnesota, during a blizzard. Only a few hardy guests attended the ceremony, with celebrations, including a dance at Zeiner’s Ballroom and a reception at the Pfeifer farm, following two weeks later once the food and cake could be enjoyed. Together for 55 years, Kenny and Jenell raised three children: Eileen, Jeff, and Joleen. He continued farming while raising his family. After a fire destroyed his main barn in 1999, he ended his dairy operation but kept raising crops and worked at Walmart for nearly 16 years. Kenny remained active in the Farmers Union, Sacred Heart Church, and as a life member of the Knights of Columbus.

Kenny was known for his restless energy, whether sawing downed trees, picking rocks from fields, mending fences, or building an elaborate steel scarecrow to protect his soybeans from geese. In later years he kept a small herd of goats, each one named by him, which brought him much joy—except for the head-butting Billy. He took special pride in his Farmall B tractor and his zero-turn Toro Titan, often defying gravity while mowing the ditches around the farm. He enjoyed card games, bingo, and a bowl of ice cream before bed. Above all, Kenny loved his family, especially gathering with his eight grandchildren during the holidays and cheering them on at their sporting events.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jenell; children Eileen (Jason) Piccolo of Falls Church, Virginia, Jeff (Jessica) Warner of Medford, Minnesota, 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; and brother-in-law Jeff Schmidt of Wisconsin. Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, sister Diane Schmidt, and in-laws George and Leone McKee.