Obituary of Kenneth Walter Briggs

BRIGGS: Kenneth Walter. On July 8, 2014, Ken lost his final battle with pneumonia after several bouts in the last year. Ken was born in Brandon on February 27, 1940 to Henry and Elizabeth Briggs, although he did not meet his own father until his return from WWII. Ken was raised in Brandon, and married Muriel Bridgeman in 1960. They had 4 children, Michelle (Eric), Gary (Joanne), Karen (Rodney) and Sheri (Kevin). Ken became a psychiatric nurse and began his career at the Brandon Mental Health Centre (BMHC). Ken was a hard worker and attained other jobs in addition to his career to help support the family, including real estate, truck driving and moving, etc., often in addition to night shifts at BMHC. In 1974, Ken and the family moved to Reston, MB to begin a new program with the provincial government and he became a community mental health worker. It was designed to be an early intervention and treatment of mental illness in the community with clients in their own homes and communities before they became serious enough to require hospitalization. Because of his work, Ken's family grew up knowing that nobody is immune to mental health issues and gained a deeper understanding of those who are dealing with them. One of the cornerstones of the work was confidentiality, and Ken was exceptional at doing his work and flying under the radar. In 1982, Ken, Muriel, Karen, and Sheri, moved to Hamiota, MB to continue the work. Ken was active at the Hamiota Health Centre in his work and as a volunteer ambulance attendant, and soon was elected to town council. Ken was a member of the Lions Clubs in Reston and Hamiota. Ken enjoyed fishing, air shows, and military history. He was also interested in religion and psychology, and attained a Bachelor's degree from Brandon University in 1986 after several years of driving to Brandon to attend night classes. Ken continued to work in Hamiota until 1996, and then retired after 36 years of service. He continued to serve on the village council until 2002, when they moved to Brandon. Ken was predeceased by Muriel in 2005. He is survived by his three sisters Gladys, (John Carmichael); Grace Dean; and Janet (David Gosman); his children Michelle and Eric Thiessen, and their children Angie and Craig West, (Erica and Elisabeth), Jeremy and Angie, (Carolyn and Leighton), and Trevor; Gary and Joanne Briggs, and their children Dean and Joel; Karen and Rodney Walliser and their children Landon, Carson and Rachel; and Sheri Briggs (Kevin Choy), who has doubled as Ken's very dedicated and loving caregiver day in and day out over the last 9 years. A memorial service was held at the First Baptist Church on Saturday, July 12, 2014 with Pastor Paul Stade officiating. Donations in memory of Ken may be made to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 23-12th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 4L6 or to the Fairview Home Fund, 1351-13th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 4S6.