Howard Braton

Howard O. Braton, age 86, a resident of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota died, Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at Lake Region Hospital, Fergus Falls, Minnesota .Howard Braton was born February 15, 1926, at Barnesville, Minnesota, the son of Samuel Sr. and Gladys (Grant) Braton. On June 17, 1946, Howard was united in marriage to Leona R. Greufe in Wolf Point, Montana. He worked as an auto mechanic and in implement shops in Wolf Point and Poplar, Montana. He also worked on farms at Oswego and Bainville, Montana and the paper mill in Camas, Washington. In 1953 Howard and Leona moved to Barnesville, Minnesota, where he farmed and worked as a mechanic. They purchased their own farm in l963 near Pelican Rapids, Minnesota where they farmed. Howard retired in 2003.Howard was a member of St. Leonard Catholic Church in Pelican Rapids.He enjoyed his grandchildren, riding his four-wheeler with Dixie the dog, his restored Case 500 tractor and having it driven in the Erhard 4th of July Parade. He was always busy modifying equipment.Howard is survived by his wife, Leona and six children: Barbara (Duane) Seifert, Pelican Rapids, MN, Karen (Karl) Thomson, Wolverton, MN, Wayne (Cheryl) Braton, Pelican Rapids, MN, Pat (Daryl) Wischnak, Vergas, MN, Marsha (Chuck) Dennis, Menahga, MN, Glen (Stacey) Braton, Barnesville, MN; grandchildren: Keith Seifert, Minneapolis, MN, David (Tami) Seifert, Pelican Rapids, MN, Sandy (Chris) Lahren, White Bear Lake, MN, Sara Seifert, Duluth, MN, Brian (Nicole) Seifert, Minot, ND, John (Karen) Waller III and Chuck (Paula) Waller, Pelican Rapids, MN, Emily (Aaron) Guest, Bemidji, MN, Lisa (Rich) Magney, Felton, MN, Kyle Braton, Fargo, ND, Justin Dennis, Park Rapids, MN, Jason Dennis, Chelsea Dennis, Menahga, MN, Tyler Braton, Krysta Braton and Brandon Braton, Barnesville, MN; 6 great-grandchildren; nine step grandchildren; twenty-two step great-grandchildren and four step great-great-grandchildren; brothers: Deloris (Peggy) Braton, Pelican Rapids, MN, Robert (Donna) Braton and Sam Jr. (Joyce) Braton, Barnesville, MN, and sister, Beverly Thompson, Arlington, TX; sisters-in-law, Beverly Braton and Janice Braton, Barnesville, MN; brother-in-law, James Hanson, Hickson, ND; and numerous nieces and nephews.Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Gladys Braton, son, Neil Braton; grandson, Mark Seifert, and one step great-granddaughter; brothers: Floyd Braton, Kenneth Braton, James Sr. Braton, Ronald Braton; and sister, LaVonne Hanson.Visitation: Friday, May 25, 2012, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. Visitation resumes one hour prior to the service at the church.Service: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 26, 2012, at St. Leonard Catholic Church, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.Clergy: Father Stan Wieser Burial: St. Leonard Catholic Cemetery, Pelican Rapids, MinnesotaFuneral Home:Larson Funeral Home304 3rd Street S.E.Pelican Rapids, MNUS 56572