Brian John Hennis, age 71 of Mankato, passed away on Saturday, January 11th at Oaklawn Rehabilitation Center in Mankato. A Celebration of Life will be held April 26th, 4-7 pm, at Hooligans on Madison Ave in Mankato.

Brian was always known for his sense of humor, sharing jokes and stories with excellent timing and delivery. Many comment on how infectious his laugh was and that it will be missed.

Brian was born May 23rd to Arnold and Jeannette Hennis in Madelia. He grew up working on the family farm. He went to school in Madelia, graduating in 1971. While in school, he enjoyed playing bass guitar in a band called West. He later studied Agri-Business - Sales & Management at Mankato Area Vocational - Technical Institute.

It was while he attended the vocational institute that he met the love of his life, Diane Olson Hennis. They married February 24th, 1973. They raised their sons, Chad and Jeremy, in Madelia. He loved his motorcycle and he and Diane went to Sturgis in 1981. In the area, he rode with friends and his cousin, Kerry. He loved to go camping on weekends with family and go on family vacations. Brian was also a big fan of the MN Twins and Vikings. His favorite saying about the Vikings was “There’s always next year!”

Brian worked for Taystee Bread for 35 years. After he retired from there, he worked for Hyvee doing local deliveries. Upon his retirement, he was presented by his wife and 2 sons with a Fender Precision Sunburst bass guitar which he loved. He loved it and along with Diane on her keyboard, they’d play frequently play music to the tv.

Over the years driving for Taystee, he met bands and sometimes would get to explore their tour buses or hang out a bit with them. Starburst drove a station wagon. Grass Roots he met at the Drive Inn in Madelia. While camping, he partied at Shady Oaks Campground with Foghat and Head East. He got a chance to sing with the Platters at Jackpot Junction Casino. He was an excellent singer and always loved going to concerts.

Before working with the bread company, he worked for National Custom Stereo. One year, he brought the stereo system to the Owatonna Fair. It would be given away as a prize for a drawing at the end of the Fair. The winner was a young girl who was deaf. He set it up at her house and when she put the headphones on her head, she started dancing to the vibrations from the music. It brought tears to his eyes.

He is survived by his wife, Diane, of 51 years, his son Chad and wife Stacy of Palm Desert, CA, granddaughters Cathryn and Natylie Hennis and their mother, Courtney, of Belle Plaine, his brother Gary, and sister Deanna Hoffman. He also had many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his son Jeremy John, his parents Arnold and Jeannette Hennis, sister Mary Hennis and many aunts, uncles and cousins.  

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