Loren B Braton

Loren Braton, age 100, a resident of Pelican Rapids, formerly of Barnesville, passed away Saturday, February 11, 2012 at his home in Pelican Rapids. Visitation: Tuesday, February 14, 2012, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Dobmeier Funeral Home, Barnesville, Minnesota. Visitation resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 1:00 p.m. " Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at St. James United Church of Christ, Barnesville, Minnesota Clergy: Pastor Wendy Ward Burial: Prairie View Cemetery Loren Benjamin Braton was born September 26, 1911, in rural Barnesville, Minnesota, to Benjamin and Clara (Moll) Braton. He grew up on the farm in rural Barnesville along with 6 brothers and 6 sisters. He attended eight grades at Dist. #68 Wilkin Co. School and was an active 4-H member, raising award winning corn. He began farming on his own before getting married. On June 24, 1937, Loren was united in marriage to Mabel Peterson on the Peterson family farm in Wilkin County. Together they had 3 daughters and 2 sons. Loren was an Assessor for 16 years. He served on the School Board, Church Board and Savings & Loan Co. in Barnesville. Besides farming he sold seed for Fargo Seed House, worked for Farmers Elevator part-time and worked for A.S.C.S. Wilkin Co. for 43 years. He also sold grave markers for Kollmann Monumental Works and Fergus Monument Co. for 30 years. He was the secretary for the Barnesville Mens Bowling League for many years and enjoyed fishing, visiting family, and traveling. Loren and Mabel lived on the farm 40 years, then bought a house in Barnesville and lived there 14 years before moving into an apartment in 1991. In 2009 they moved to Riverfront Manor in Pelican Rapids. Loren is survived by his wife of 74 years, Mabel; children: Mary (Erv) Ehrmann; Marlys (Gary) Carlson, all of Pelican Rapids, MN; Loretta (Dick) Lien, Fort Collins, CO; Llyal (Eileen) Braton, Barnesville, MN; Byron (Erleen) Braton, Osseo, MN; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Art Peterson, Barnesville, MN; sister-in-law, Inez Braton, Barnesville, MN; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; 6 brothers; 6 sisters; and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Prairie View Cemetery or Lakeland Hospice.