Brian Joseph Webster (58) passed away unexpectedly on his family farm on Aug.3, 2023, after suffering from complications with depression.
Brian was born on Dec. 22, 1964, in Red Wing, MN to Robert and Elizabeth “Betty” (Klecker) Webster of Hartland Township. Brian was the youngest of 8 living children. He grew up on the Webster Century Family Farm and wanted nothing more than to continue the legacy of farming.
Brian was a smart businessman with much of what he learned attributing to his parents and his education. Brian attended Hillcrest Elementary and then continued to Ellsworth Junior and Senior High Schools where he graduated in 1983. Throughout his education, Brian took many agricultural classes that attributed his life on the farm. He was a member of the Ellsworth FFA and obtained different officer positions during his high school career. His children would later follow in his footsteps. After graduation, he continued his educational studies at Red Wing Vocational School fulfilling an agribusiness degree.
Through his many personal connections within his secondary education, he met the love of his life, Kimberly “Kim” Marie Strain of Byron, MN. Brian and Kim were married on August 18th, 1990. Following their marriage, they were blessed with three children who all took an interest in farming and agriculture: Jennifer, Mitchell, and Thomas.
Brian wore many different hats both physically and literally. He lived out his dream occupation of farming in grains, livestock and dairy production with his two sons: Mitchell and Thomas, his brother Ron as well as his nephews. He even enjoyed various side jobs such as selling Crows/Channel/Jung seed corn where he received many sales awards. Brian was also involved in his community serving in different leadership roles such as the chairperson of the Hartland Township Board and was the current supervisor. He was also a member of the St. Francis parish community. Brian even enjoyed his auctioneer license.
Brian loved farming with his family, visiting with all those who stopped in at the farm, and connecting with friends and family at gatherings of all kinds. In addition, he enjoyed going for drives with Kim around the countryside and getting commodity market updates from Jennifer.
Brian is survived by his loving wife – Kimberly “Kim”, his 3 children: Jennifer Webster of Inver Grove Heights, MN; Mitchell (Taylor) Webster of Bay City, WI; and Thomas Webster (Kylie Larsen) of Ellsworth, WI; 6 brothers and sisters, Dr. Rita Webster, PhD, Minneapolis, MN; Dianne (Terry) Foley, Williamsburg, IA; Ronald (Karen) Webster, Ellsworth; Sharon Foley, Albuquerque, NM; Mary Jo (Barry) Kruse, Zumbrota, MN; Bruce (Jill) Webster of Overland Park, KS; his aunts Barb Klecker, Ellsworth; and Mary Socha, Cecil, WI; his father and mother-in-law Duane and Gayle Strain and brother-in-laws Kevin (Kathy) Strain and Kyle (Roni) Strain, many cousins, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and multiple friends.
Brian was proceeded in death by his parents, Robert and Elizabeth “Betty” Webster, stillborn infant brother born Jan 9, 1973, eldest brother Jack who died on March 2, 2021, maternal grandparents, Leon and Regina (Langer) Klecker, paternal grandparents, Edward and Anna (Hager) Webster and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
A public visitation will be from 4 - 8 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023, at St. Francis Catholic Church: 231 W. Woodworth St. Ellsworth, WI 54011. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023, at St. Francis Catholic Church: 231 W. Woodworth St. Ellsworth, WI 54011, Reverend Junabe V. Villapaz (Fr. Jo Jo) will officiate. A visitation will be one hour prior to Mass.
Burial will be at our Lady of Perpetual Help (Clayfield) Cemetery, Ellsworth Township. In lieu of flowers to honor Brian, the family prefers monetary donations that will benefit the mental health of farmers across the state of Wisconsin.
Services are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ellsworth, www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com, 715-273-4421
