Samuel Braton

Samuel O. Braton Jr., age 83, a life-long resident of Barnesville, MN died on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at Sanford Health Palliative Care in Fargo, ND from congestive heart failure. Visitation will be from 5-8pm, Thursday, November 5, 2015 at Dobmeier Funeral Home with a Prayer Service at 7:00pm. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Friday, November 6, 2015 at St. James United Church of Christ in Barnesville with Pastor Wendy Ward officiating. Burial will follow in Prairie View Cemetery, rural Barnesville, MN. Samuel Orvie Braton, Jr. was born on May 14, 1932 to Samuel O. and Gladys (Grant) Braton in Prairie View Township, Wilkin County, MN. He grew up in Prairie View Township and attended country school there. He graduated from Barnesville High School in 1950. Following graduation, Sam worked for Northern Pacific Railroad and Cass-Clay Creamery. Sam was united in marriage to Joyce Meyer on June 6, 1952 at St. James United Church of Christ. In 1956, dairy farming would become a lifelong work of Sam until 1990; he continued farming until retiring in 1996, following a stroke. Sam, always willing to get involved and take on a leadership role, was a member of the National Farmers Organization (NFO), served on the Township Board, Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) Board, Milk Producers and Co-op Elevator Board, and St. James Church where he served on the council. Sam was an industrious farmer and never shied away from hard work or taking risks. He also found great meaning by helping others. He enjoyed getting to know people and talking to them. Sam had a very sharp mind, he approached even the most challenging scenarios with optimism and enthusiasm. A man of great courage in all that he undertook, Sam was an outstanding provider for his family. He was a dedicated husband of 63 years, 3 months, and 2 days to Joyce, and devoted father and grandfather. As a result of his "can do attitude" and "don't take no for an answer," Sam experienced many life threatening injuries in the latter part of his life, including his right arm being mauled by a donkey. He provided his family with many stories and "you won't believe what dad/grandpa did now!" occasions! At his wife's burial he asked for an empty chair to be placed by him to symbolize her presence and her absence. Our dad, grandfather, and great-grandfather will be remembered for his persistence, cleverness, and huge heart for helping others. Sam is survived by his six children: Debra Leverson, Pelican Rapids, MN, Douglas Braton (Debra Thomas), Glyndon, MN, Shirlee (Dana) Holland, Rothsay, MN, Brenda Sherwood, Aurora, CO, Tammy (Doc) Dockter, Detroit Lakes, MN, Jody (Matt) Huntington, Aurora, CO; 14 grandchildren: Nathan (Chanda Christianson) and Kenneth Leverson (Becky); Rikki Braton, Shanna Swenson, Shelby and Colby Braton; DJ (Jessica) and Michael (Danielle) Holland; Austin and Samuel Sherwood; Dustin (Jessica James) Askegaard, Streeter (Kaylee Bliss) and Sheyenne Dockter; and Forrest Huntington; and three step-grandchildren: Andrew (Hillary) and Christopher (Jamie) Sherwood; and Schon (Laura) Huntington; 21 great-grandchildren: Abby Riddering (Josh Hough), Emily (Dylan Hoffart), Amber, and Brayden Leverson; Mackinzie, Kaitlyn, and Viola Leverson; Blake, Kayleigh, and Riley Wallace; Zander Swenson; Ryder McGough; Trey, Tydan, and Teagan Holland; Michael Holland Jr.; Zachary and Bentley Askegaard; Step-great-grandchildren: Joshua, Henry, and Benjamin Sherwood; and two great-great-grandchildren: Jack Hough and Serenity Hoffart. He is also survived by two brothers, DeLoris "Sammy" Braton of Barnesville, Minnesota, Robert (Donna) Braton of Barnesville; one sister, Beverly Thompson of Arlington, Texas; sister-in-laws, Leona Braton of Pelican Rapids, Janice Braton, and Beverly Braton both of Barnesville; aunt, Inez Braton of Barnesville, as well as many nieces and nephews. Sam is preceded in death by his wife Joyce, one granddaughter-in-law, Lisa Riddering Leverson, and one step-granddaughter, Stephanie Dockter, his parents; five brothers, Floyd, Howard, Kenneth, Jim, and Ronald; one sister LaVonne Hanson; three nephews, Dan Braton, Scott Hanson and Neil Braton. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to St. James United Church of Christ. Sam Braton Bulletin