Kenneth Joseph Silbernick

Kenneth Joseph Silbernick, a devoted husband, father, and retired Air Force Lt. Col., passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 18th, 2024. He was born on January 20, 1939, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, son of Edward Messerich and Elizabeth Rolfes. Ken was lovingly adopted and raised by his grandparents, Joseph and Catherine Silbernick, in the quaint town of St. Rosa, Minnesota, where he spent his formative years.

From a young age, Ken displayed exceptional intellect and determination. Fluent in German during his early years, he excelled academically in the one-room schoolhouse of his youth, even skipping a grade due to his aptitude. As a high school student, Ken worked in his grandfather’s bar in St. Rosa. After graduating from Melrose High School at the age of 17, Ken worked for a brief time in Chicago, before embarking on a journey of service and dedication to his country.

On May 6, 1959, Ken enlisted in the United States Air Force, marking the beginning of a distinguished military career. Over the years, he proudly served at various Air Force bases across the globe, including assignments in Maine, Puerto Rico, Michigan, Nebraska, Colorado, Greenland, and Florida. Ken's commitment to duty and excellence earned him the admiration of his peers and superiors alike. Upon his retirement, his commanding officer remarked that Ken's departure was "a genuine loss to the service," highlighting his “meaningful and lasting contribution to the defense of our country”.

Following his military service, Ken transitioned into civilian life, briefly working as a car salesman and then a realtor. However, his true passions lay elsewhere. An accomplished cook and baker, Ken delighted in recreating recipes from his childhood, and baking scores of cookies during the holiday season to share with family and friends.

Ken's love for aviation endured beyond his military service, as he found joy in piloting planes through a flight simulator on his computer, with his beloved dog Joewe at his feet. He formed a close bond with a neighboring couple, who asked him and his wife to become godparents to their youngest son. After his wife passed away, they included him in many family activities and he became fondly known as “Grandpa Ken”. In his later years, he enjoyed listening to audiobooks and solving jigsaw puzzles on his computer, finding contentment in these simple pleasures.

Ken's legacy of love and devotion lives on through his children, Lynne, Laura, and Scott, who remember him fondly as a caring father and role model. He is survived by his brothers, Rev. Robert Rolfes, Charles Rolfes, Skip Messerich, and Ronnie Messerich, along with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is also survived by cherished friends Kim and Russ Kathol; their children, Max and Cait Kathol, Spencer and Keely Kathol, DeAnne and Kyle Green, Grant Kathol and fiance McKenna Bricker; and their 9 grandchildren.

Ken was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joan Brown Silbernick; his adoptive grandparents, Joseph and Catherine Silbernick; his parents, Ed Messerich and Betty Rolfes; and his step-brothers, Walter Rolfes and Melvin Rolfes.

A visitation will be held at Kahler-Dolce Mortuary on Wednesday, May 22nd, at 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will take place at St. Columbkille Church on Thursday, May 23rd, at 10:30 a.m with Burial following at Cedardale Cemetery. May Ken Silbernick's memory be a blessing to all who knew him, and may he rest in eternal peace.