Warren Ben Kregness

Warren Ben Kregness, age 95 of Superior Wisconsin, died on Sunday April 27, 2025, at Aspires Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota. He was born on February 9, 1930, in Duluth Minnesota to Ben and Thora (Larsen) Kregness.  Warren graduated from Hermantown High School in 1948. Warren proudly served in the United States Marines from 1948 to 1951. He fought in the Korean War and earned Two purple hearts and was honorably discharged as Staff Sergeant. He had the honor to participate in the Honor Flight Northland to Washington D.C in 2012. Warren married Laurene Branwall of Tower Minnesota in 1951, they had four children. He worked at First American National Bank in Duluth from 1948-1967. In 1967 Warren and Laurene moved their family from Hermantown to Soudan, where they purchased The State Bank of Tower, Tower Soudan Agency and the Falls Insurance Company. In 1992 he sold the business. In 1990 Warren built a home in Cape Coral, Florida and would spend his winters there leaving Minnesota after hunting season was over. On September 7, 1996, Warren Married Kathleen (Horner) Williamson of Duluth.  In 2000 they sold their Florida home and became residents of Superior Wisconsin to be closer to family and friends. Warren was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also was a commercial pilot who owned and flew his planes to the Arctic and the cabin on Hope Lake in Kenora Ontario Canda. He was a member of the Birdwatcher’s Duck Camp in Squaw Lake and a Deer Camp on Lake Vermilion.  Warren also enjoyed time in his workshop building gifts for family members and doing many carpentry projects and repairs. He looked forward to his outings with his good friend Bob Sederberg and saunas at the Kitchi.

Warren is survived by his wife: Kathleen; Children: Scott (Marilyn) Kregness of Port Charlotte Fl and Tower Mn, Jorgine Gornick of Soudan, Mn, Karen (Ward) Patterson of Port Charlotte, Fl, Barb (Steve) Burgess of Tower, Mn; Grandchildren: Sean (Allison) Kregness, Sara (Steve) Colberg, Nichole (Bryan) Chiabotti, Aaron Gornick, Jillian (Mike) Anderson, Cheri (Dean) Debeltz, Alaina (Dustin) George, Brynn (Patrick) Rhodes, Alli (Ryan) Harasyn; Great-Grandchildren: Bria (Chase Kleppe) Chiabotti, Jared Chiabotti, Kaden and Kaleb Gornick, Joey and Jacie Lakoskey, Chloe and Jack Anderson, Carena and Cylvia DeBeltz, Hunter (Meghan), Kimber, Ruger, Jagger Carpenter, Sammy and Sophie Harasyn, Lyra and Julian Kregness, Thomas and Lucy Colberg; Great-Great Grandchild: Dakota; Step-Children: Patti Williamson of Phoenix Az; Scott (Lori) Williamson of Superior; Step-Grandchildren: Kathryn (John) Tidenberg, Erik, Niklas, Seth and Luke and many extended family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; former wife and mother of his children: Laurene Kregness; sister: Frances who died in infancy; son-in-law: Franklin Gornick.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Warren’s Grandchildren.

The Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Bauman’s Vermilion Funeral Home in Tower. A gathering of family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m.

Family services are provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Tower.  To express condolences online please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

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