Kenneth W. “Boots” Messner, 91, of Hutchinson passed away on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Hutchinson Health in Hutchinson. Memorial Service was held Monday, April 28, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson with interment in Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson.
 Clergy Officiating: Apostolic Christian Ministers; Congregational Hymns:; Urn Bearers: Andrew Messner, Lauren Romo, Eric Messner, Maddison Reiner, amber Fleck, Rebecca Messner, Emily Messner
 Kenneth William Messner, better known as the nickname “Boots” he was given as an infant. He was born in New Ulm on February 26, 1934, the son of Walter and Florence Messner. Boots grew up in Gibbon with three brothers and two sisters, James “Jim” Messner, Robert “Bob” Messner, Dorothy Jacobson, MaryAnn Ohland, and John Messner. Boots graduated from Gibbon High School in 1952. After graduation he worked on the farm with his parents and brother, John.
 Boots joined the service in 1954. He was stationed at Fort Riley in Kansas before going to Germany where he worked for the Signal Corp in the office for 11 months before returning home to the States. Boots served for two years, before moving out west to California where he worked at the Pacific Press for a few months before heading back home to help out on the family farm. After working on the farm, Boots had a multitude of different jobs before landing a job at 3M in Hutchinson. He worked at 3M for 30 years and nine months. Boots was a dedicated employee. After retiring from 3M, he worked for the city of Hutchinson for 18 years.
 Boots was united in marriage to Margaret Luthens on November 16, 1963, in Hutchinson. They were blessed with two children, Bradley and Kyle. His blessings grew when he became a grandpa for the first time. Boots had seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Brad and Jane have three children: Andrew and his wife Steph and their two children Elsie and Miles; Lauren Romo and her husband Brandon and their two children Maverick and Hudson; Eric Messner and his wife Brianna and their son Warren. Kyle and Anita have four children: Maddison Reiner and her husband Mitchell and their daughter Rylee; Amber Fleck and her husband Jayden and their children Madden and Maggie; Rebecca Messner and significant other, Troy; Emily Messner and fiancé Gavin.
 Boots spent many years attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. He loved spending his summers at the baseball field where he watched his son, Kyle, and his grandchildren play baseball.
 Boots was baptized into the Apostolic church in 1975 and attended Apostolic Christian Church in Winthrop. His faith was very important. Boots spent countless hours reading his bible and praying for his family and friends. He was dedicated to his church and loving Christ.
 Boots is survived by his wife, Margaret; his children, Bradley Messner (Jane) of St. Cloud and Kyle Messner (Anita) of Hutchinson; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brothers, Bob Messner of Port Orchard, Wash.,, and John Messner (Janie) of Lebanon, Mo., and nieces and nephews.
 Boots is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Florence Messner; brother, Jim Messner (Julie); sisters, MaryAnn Ohland (Bill) and Dorothy Jacobson (John); and sister-in-law, Marge Messner.
 Boots will be dearly missed by his kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was very loved and if you ask his grandchildren he would win the award for most beloved grandpa.
 Arrangements by Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson. Online obituaries and guestbook available at www.hantge.com.