Leona Regina Braton

Leona Braton, age 96, of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, died on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at Sanford Hospice House in Fargo, North Dakota.

Leona Regina was born on May 18, 1927, to John and Julia (Koch) Greufe in Lustre, Montana.  She attended Wolf Creek and Lustre Montana grade schools and graduated from Wolf Point High School in 1945.  Leona worked at Lovejoy Photography, Buttreys Grocery Store, and Wolf Point Theatre during her high school years. 

On June 17, 1946, Leona was united in marriage to Howard Braton in Wolf Point, Montana.  They lived in Wolf Point, Oswego, Poplar, and Bainville in Montana and Vancouver, Washington. In 1953 Howard and Leona moved to Barnesville, Minnesota.  They purchased their own farm in October 1963 near Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.  Howard died on May 22, 2012, then Leona moved to the High Rise in Pelican Rapids in August 2012.

Leona was a member of St. Leonard Catholic Church in Pelican Rapids.

Leona is survived by six children: Barbara (Duane) Seifert, Pelican Rapids, MN, Karen (Karl) Thomson, Wolverton, MN, Wayne (Cheryl) Braton, Fargo, ND, Pat Wischnak (friend Richard), West Fargo, ND, Marsha (Chuck) Dennis, Menahga, MN, Glen (Stacey) Braton, Barnesville, MN; grandchildren: Keith (Dan Adolphson) Seifert, Minneapolis, MN, David (Tami) Seifert, Pelican Rapids, MN, Sandy (Chris) Lahren, White Bear Lake, MN, Sara (David) Lepisto, Duluth, MN, Brian (Nicole) Seifert, Minot, ND, John (Karen) Waller III and Chuck (Paula) Waller, Pelican Rapids, MN,  Emily (Aaron) Guest, Bemidji, MN, Lisa (Aaron) Anderson, Felton, MN, Kyle Braton, Fargo, ND, Justin Dennis (friend Alicia), Park Rapids, MN, Jason Dennis (friend Vance), Van Nuys, CA, Chelsea Dennis (friend Mathew), Fargo, ND, Tyler Braton, Krysta Braton and Brandon Braton, Barnesville, MN; six great-grandchildren; nine step grandchildren; twenty-two step great-grandchildren; and eight step great-great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brother-in-law, Robert (Donna) Braton; sisters-in-law: Myrna Greufe, Janice Braton, Beverly Thompson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents, John and Julia (Koch) Greufe; husband, Howard Braton; son, Neil Braton; grandson, Mark Seifert; one step great-granddaughter; granddaughter-in-law, Jeanette Waller; son-in-law, Daryl Wischnak; brothers: Ralph Greufe, Wilfrid Greufe, George Greufe, Kenneth Greufe, Bernard Greufe, Harry Greufe; sister, Mary McEneaney; brothers-in-law: Jim Hanson, Sam Jr. Braton, James Sr. Braton, Ronald Braton, Floyd Braton, Kenny Braton, Deloris Braton; sisters-in-law: Margaret Braton, LaVonne Hanson, Joyce Braton, Beverly Braton, Theresa Greufe, Clara Mae Greufe, Hazel Greufe; nephews: Steve McEneaney, John McEneaney, David Greufe, Scott Hanson, Greg Hanson, Dan Braton, Dale Braton, Mark Thompson, and Mike Greufe; nieces: Judy (Greufe) Brown and Shirley (Greufe) Schroeder.

Visitation: Saturday, October 21, 2023, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at St. Leonard Catholic Church in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.

Funeral Mass: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 21, 2023, at St. Leonard Catholic Church in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota with Deacon Pete Bellavance, Father Jeff Ethen, and Deacon Joseph Hilber officiating. 

Interment: St. Leonard Catholic Cemetery, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota