Kenneth "Ken" Breitbach

Funeral Mass for Kenneth "Ken" Breitbach, 72, of Bismarck, ND will be 10:00 am Friday, June 23, 2023 at St. John's Catholic Church in Baker, MT with Father Phillip Chinnappan celebrating. Burial will follow at St. John's Cemetery.

A rosary will take place at St. John's Catholic Church on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 9:30 am.

Kenneth "Ken" Breitbach, 72, of Bismarck, ND passed away May 9, 2023 in Bismarck, ND.

Kenneth Otto was born to Howard and Bernadette “Detta” Breitbach on June 12, 1950 in Wolf Point, MT. He was the oldest of 10 children and part of a loving and faithful family. Ken was proud to be a Boy Scout and worked hard to achieve the Eagle Scout honor in 1966 as part of troop #58, better known as troop #258 today. Ken graduated from Baker High School, Class of 1968 and attended an architectural drawing school in Denver, CO from 1968-1969. He then worked as a seismographer until 1971 when he moved to Great Falls, MT. He graduated from College of Great Falls in 1975 with a major in Sociology and worked with detained juveniles. It was during this time he met and married Dorothy Glasser on June 19, 1971 in Glendive, MT. To this union his son Kevin was born. In 1978, Ken moved to Gillette, WY where he worked in the oil, gas and coal industry until his retirement in 2009. He spent retirement enjoying life while living in Bismarck, ND. Ken’s number one love was his family which grew to include two grandsons of which he was most proud, along with 24 nieces and nephews and 32 great nieces and nephews who all knew him as “Uncle Kenny.” He was very fond of his pet iguana most famously named “Mr. Bill.” Ken enjoyed life across many venues. The first was his love of learning, as an avid reader with a large library of his own that he was eager to share. Ken especially loved the area of science and topics like quantum physics. He would relish in a stimulating conversation about the latest scientific breakthroughs and discoveries. He spent hours drawing, sketching, painting scenery and working with water color. Photography was another favorite past time. He was always ready to capture the best photo he could at family reunions, weddings and football games. Later in life he developed a love of old photographs that depicted stylish beards. He even sported an epic beard himself at times. His love of nature and the outdoors was also obvious by his experiences hiking, camping and fishing that involved tying his own flies. He talked often about the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and he climbed Devils Tower at least twice. Sports were another love of his with football (Vikings) and golf as his favorites. Ken battled cancer the last two years, but was determined to enjoy life and always replied that he was “reasonably well” despite the many health challenges he faced.

Ken is survived by his son, Kevin (Teresa) Breitbach; grandsons, Brenden and Brolin Breitbach of New Albany, OH; siblings, Tony (Rita) of Baker, MT, Rod (Karen) of Bismarck, ND, David (Jerri) of Baker, MT, Thomas (Marci) of Baker, MT, Greg (Kara) of Stevens Point, WI; Bev (Joe) Mayernik of Lewistown, MT, Mary (Mitch) Anderson of Sidney, MT, Laurie (Doug) Vanderpan of Bismarck, ND, Sharon (Pat) Boehmer of Carrington, ND; 24 nieces and nephews; 32 great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Detta Breitbach.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Fallon County Council on Aging which benefits the Community Cupboard and/or Meals on Wheels programs, PO Box 1025, Baker MT, 59313, or Fallon County Library, PO Box 1037, Baker, MT 59313, or the charity of your choice in Ken’s memory.