1944

Kenneth E. Brill, passed away peacefully on Sunday June 19th at the age of 99 years and 7 months. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Evarist and Hulda (Allinger) Brill and his beloved wife of 56 years, Mary Gilday Brill. He is survived by his three proud children, Julie Rasman, Suzanne Brill (Tom Curtis) and John Brill (Jody) along with four loving grandchildren Kate Current (J.T.), Bailey Kraemer (Josh), Callan Curtis (Zoe Josten) and Kennedy Curtis. He was “Four Pop” to his great- grandsons, Eli and Quinn Kraemer and great- granddaughter Josten- Curtis arriving in October.\

Ken, an only child, was born in Kiel, WI and grew up in Milwaukee. He graduated from Washington High School and Northern Illinois College of Optometry. He practiced in Milwaukee first with his father and then in a solo practice for over 40 years. He was a huge sports fan from his kids’ and grandkids’ grade school games all the way up to the pros and was a life-long Badger fan in particular. Sports were followed very closely by his love of a good sheepshead game!

1944

Ben Tsutomu Chikaraishi passed away on Monday, February 21, 2022, at the age of 100 in Lincolnwood IL. Although he had many health setbacks over his long life, Ben remained strong and lived independently with his wife Kiyo right up to his time of passing. After one final stay in the hospital, he returned to the rehab center at Lincolnwood Place where he died peacefully with Kiyo, his beloved wife of 76 years, and their family by his side.

Ben Chikaraishi, was born in Colusa, CA on September 10, 1921, to Saroku Chikaraishi (father) and Sato Oyama Chikaraishi (mother). His parents married in Japan and immigrated to the US in 1904. The fourth of five children, Ben spent most of his childhood in Stockton, CA, helping his father manage a hotel. Ben was the first of his family to attend college and he pursued an optometry degree at the University of California, Berkeley. Unfortunately, WWII interrupted his education and in 1942 Ben and his family were incarcerated in Rohwer Internment Camp in Arkansas as a result of the infamous Executive Order 9066. While at Rohwer, Ben practiced optometry at the camp hospital where he met Kiyo Chino, his future bride.

In July 1943 Ben relocated to Chicago and finished his optometry degree at the Northern Illinois College of Optometry. In 1945, he established his optometry practice in Chicago and was joined by his son Jim in 1974. Together they served many patients in the Japanese American community. He practiced for 41 years until his retirement in 1986.

In 1945, Ben married Kiyo and they resided in Chicago until 1960 when they built a new home in Morton Grove, IL. There they raised their family and hosted innumerable gatherings over the next 57 years. In their later years Ben and Kiyo were able to travel the world and take many gambling trips with the Midwest Buddhist Temple Golden Agers group. In 2017 they moved to Lincolnwood Place for Senior Living. Beyond his devotion to his extended family, Ben will be remembered as an avid fisherman, a bountiful gardener, and life-long loyal Chicago White Sox fan.

As patriarch, his advice and guidance were sought and valued by his family. But Ben will also be remembered for his civic and community contributions. He was a founding member of the Midwest Buddhist Temple in Chicago. There he served in many leadership capacities, including President of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Building Committee. The Building Committee was responsible for planning, fundraising, and overseeing the construction of the beautiful Midwest Buddhist Temple building which stands as an architectural icon in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Dr. Ben was also a driving force behind MBT’s Ginza Holiday serving decades as the Ginza announcer (“and a good, good evening to you!”). Ben’s self-taught investment expertise helped provide financial stability for the temple and that legacy benefits MBT even today. Just as importantly he helped create the Reverend Gyodo Kono Fund, in honor of MBT’s founding minister, which has granted scholarships to many students seeking education in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. To support the Japanese American youth in the 1950s through the 1970s Ben helped create the Chicago Nisei Athletic Association (CNAA), which enabled Japanese American young people from all over the Chicago area to participate in various sports and organized leagues. Dr. Ben has been a positive influence in the lives of many, many people.

1947

Alfred Henry “Al” Neitzke passed away peacefully at 97 years of age on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 surrounded by his family at Perham Health, Perham, Minnesota.

Alfred was born on January 18, 1924 to Robert and Katherine (Riewer) Neitzke in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. He attended Detroit Lakes High School, graduated with the class of 1942. Al enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Snelling in St. Paul, Minnesota.

He attended the University of Minnesota. On January 3, 1946 Al was united in marriage to Maryann Kelty in Fargo, North Dakota. In 1947 he received his Doctor of Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, where he was President of the Student Council. He then began his 50-year optometry practice in Wadena and Perham, Minnesota. He was a member of the MN Optometric Association for many years where he served as treasurer.

On August 29, 1987 Al was united in marriage to Irene Catherine Egan. Together they made their home in Wadena and Ottertail Lake MN. They enjoyed escaping MN Winter’s at their home in Englewood, Florida.

Al was involved in his community and had many interests and hobbies. He was co-founder and director of the Mid Central Federal Savings Bank with Morris J. Ebner and served as Chairman of the Board for 47 years. He was passionate about golf, playing an instrumental role in the creation of the Wadena Golf Course where he served as president from 1957 to 1974. He was a lifetime member of the Wadena Lions Club.

The family cabin on Ottertail Lake was a special gathering place for his family. Watching others enjoy the special place he created brought him much joy. Al’s love for his family was ever present.

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