Briggs, Charles H.

Charles H. Briggs, 95, of Hammond, Wis., formerly of Vinton, died Monday, May 7, 2012, in St. Paul, Minn.

Charles was born Oct. 28, 1916, in Chickasaw County, Iowa, the son of John W. and Emma Niewoehner Briggs. On Dec. 18, 1938, he married Marian Brandenburg, and they had two daughters. She preceded him in 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 Cafe in Keystone and later, Briggs Cafe 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, Wis.; grandchildren: Marcy Hanson, Jeff (Rachel) Vogt and David Greenfield; great-grandchildren: Riley Hanson, Kyle Hanson and James Dail Vogt; seven stepchildren; many stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren; four sisters-in-law, Virginia (Dale) Conklin, Darlene (Lyle) Steege, Beverly (Everet) Hyman, Charolette Wuttke and Leitha (John) Ross; and three brothers-in-law: Clifford (Rhoda) Brandenburg, Paul Klotz and Lyle Laabs.

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

Services were held May 11, 2012, in New Richmond, Wis.

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.

Published in The Gazette May 15, 2012.