Obituaries : Charles H. Briggs

Charles H. Briggs

VINTON -- Charles H. Briggs, 95, of Hammond, Wisconsin, formerly of Vinton, died Monday, May 7, 2012, in St. Paul, MN.

Charles was born October 28, 1916, in Chickasaw County, Iowa, the son of John W. and Emma Niewoehner Briggs. On December 18, 1938, he married Marian Brandenburg, and they had two daughters. She preceded him death. He married Jessie Thompson in 1955; she preceded him in death. In 1982, he married Ethel Arnold; she also preceded him in death.

Charles worked in the CCC camps during the depression. He became a chef and worked at The Butterfly and The DeVar restaurants in Cedar Rapids. He owned and operated the Keystone Café in Keystone and later, Briggs Café in Vinton.

He loved to fish, hunt, play cards and spend time with his family.

Charles is survived by his daughters, Bernice Ahl of Vinton and Bernadine (Don) Greenfield of New Richmond, WI; grandchildren: Marcy Hanson, Jeff (Rachel) Vogt and David Greenfield; great-grandchildren: Riley Hanson, Kyle Hanson and James Dail Vogt; 7 step-children; many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; 4 sisters-in-law: Virginia (Dale) Conklin, Darlene (Lyle) Steege, Beverly (Everet) Hyman, Charolette Wuttke, Leitha (John) Ross; and 3 brothers-in-law: Clifford (Rhoda) Brandenburg, Paul Klotz and Lyle Laabs.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 5 siblings; 3 wives; 3 sons-in-law; and a grandson, Mitchell Spencer.

Services were held Friday, May 11, 2012, in New Richmond, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the donor's choice. Charles’ body has been cremated and committal services will be held in Sumner, Iowa, at a later date.