Vincent Peter Kautz

Vincent P. Kautz, 81, Breckenridge, MN, passed away on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at CHI St. Francis Health, Breckenridge, MN after a battle with metastatic lung cancer. Burial will be held at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery, Kent, MN, on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 9:00 am. On Sunday, November 2, 2025, a visitation will be held at Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral home from 4-5 pm with a prayer service at 5:00 pm. Father Leo Moenkedick of St. Mary's Catholic Church will preside.

Vince was born on March 28th, 1944, in Breckenridge to John and Florence (Schroeder) Kautz. Vince grew up on the family farm just east of Kent and went to school in Kent in a two-room schoolhouse. Vince graduated from high school in Breckenridge in 1962 and farmed with his father. Vince was proud to be the third generation to farm his family's land that his grandfather homesteaded. Vince quit farming in 1981 stating "It was either get bigger or get out, so I got out". Vince always referred to himself as a "recovering farmer", claiming that farming was a sickness you just didn't get over. After farming, Vince worked for Minn-Dak and Butch Beyer until he joined the Red River Valley and Western Railroad in 1987 and retired in 2009.

Vince married Lynn Rishel on January 8th, 1977. They had four children, and they were the joy of his life. Vince always said, in regard to his kids, "I wouldn't take a million for any of you, but I also wouldn't give a red cent". Vince gave everything he had for his family and enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren benefit from his generosity. He literally lived like a pauper but gave generously to those he loved and charitable organizations he supported.

Vince watched Jeopardy! every day and was a trivia genius. He pored over maps, plat books, atlases, and books about farming. Vince knew how to fix anything and had at least a general knowledge of just about everything. He would talk about anything with anyone, but he loved talking farming most of all.

Vince was preceded in death by his parents and Lynn.

Vince is survived by his sisters, Janice Gadbois of Shakopee, MN; and Anita Partridge of Blaine, MN; children: Sarah of Breckenridge, John of Shoreview, MN, Catherine (Paul Cysewski) of Courtenay ND, and Elizabeth (John Schauer) of Wahpeton; and his grandchildren Dutch, Tom, and Mason.