Kenneth Albert Breitenstein, 85
In the early evening of July 28, 2020, the Yaak’s last Great Historian left his earthly confines to partake in a much-deserved rest. Kenneth Albert Breitenstein, 85, passed away at home to join his departed loved ones.
Born Aug. 9, 1934, to Albert and Margaret Breitenstein, the eldest of two sons, Ken chose a path in life that closely paralleled his beloved father, Albert.
He spent time in exploration and built a vast and intimate knowledge of the Yaak and the surrounding area. From Silvanite’s ruins — the town was lost in the 1910 fire — and the Lost Boyd’s Mine, the Old N.F. Cabin along the Canadian Border, to the furthest and most obscure lookout tower, CCC Camp, and especially turn of the century mine sites sprawled out in every corner of Lincoln County, he knew them all.
His chosen occupation was that of a “Logger,” which, he stated boldly, was slightly ahead of his hobby, logging. Early on, he found work with the Forest Service, but eventually worked with almost every timber company a man with intimate knowledge of the rich history of logging in this area could name.
This led to him becoming the owner and operator of Breitenstein Logging. Prior to this, he found his anchor and lifelong companion when he married the lovely Edith Beverly Tiffany of Eureka in 1956.
In April 1957, they were blessed with a healthy baby girl, Elizabeth Ann Breitenstein. In June 1959, they added the last child to their family, Kenneth Lee Breitenstein.
Although then working around the northern area of Lincoln County, Ken and Edith made their way to the last place they would ever live: A homestead once owned by the Roderick family on the South Fork of the Yaak River. It bordered the homestead Ken had grown up on to the north. In time, he made it his own and it is arguably the most pristine and well-maintained 160-acre parcel of land ever enjoyed by those who have been fortunate enough to tread upon it. It took them many years of happiness and heartache to achieve. Through sheer force of will and fortitude of spirit, the land reflected his mind’s eye.
Sadly, as this world he helped mold ends for him, he leaves his daughter, Elizabeth, and two grandchildren, Brian and Mandy, behind in his immense shadow. The many others will not be mentioned, yet they know who they are. As for those who went before him, they are numerous and also will also go unnamed, because they already have been etched upon the stone slabs that mark them.
Friend, father, mentor, hero. We love you and we will miss you.
Rest in peace.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m., Aug. 11 at the Tobacco Valley Cemetery in Eureka. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.