Mervin M. Braun

Mervin M. Braun, 82, Rosholt, SD, died Monday, December 31, 2012, in Spearfish, SD.
Funeral mass was Friday, January 4, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Catholic Church in Rosholt with Father Joseph Hitpas, OMI, officiating. Music was provided by organist Lana Sand and vocalist Marlon Griggs.
Burial was in the St. Nicholas Cemetery, rural Rosholt. Military honors were provided by the Leo American Legion Post 48 of Rosholt and the Read Veflin American Legion Post 180 of New Effington. Pallbearers were Russell Hansen, Matthew Braun, Jacob Braun, Jeremiah Braun, Justin Braun, Dustin Braun, Brandon Schmidlkofer, Keith Fraase, Tim Braun, and Artie Joe Luick.
Visitation was Thursday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt. There was a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Visitation continued Friday one hour prior to the service at the church.
Mervin M. Braun was born on May 13, 1930, in Victor Township to Joseph and Elenora (Fehringer) Braun. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, rural Rosholt. Mervin attended school in Rosholt. On November 6, 1951, Mervin married Rose Mary Keller at St. Gall's Catholic Church in Tintah, MN. Mervin then entered the US Army on Nov 16, 1951, at Camp Chaffee where he served for two years with time stationed in Germany and the US. Mervin earned the Occupation Medal Germany and the National Defense Service Medal. After his discharge on October 29, 1953, Mervin worked for area farmers and then began farming on his own. Throughout the next 30 years Mervin farmed, was involved in carpentry, sold seed, drove truck and was known as the "man who could fix anything". In 1981 he retired from farming and moved into Rosholt with his wife and youngest daughter Kris. Mervin and Rose lived in Wahpeton, Breckenridge, and West Fargo. He retired from Knox lumber. Mervin and Rose returned to the family farm near Rosholt in 1998. They spent their winters in Mission, TX, for 16 years.
Mervin was a member of the Leo American Legion Post 48 of Rosholt and the Rosholt Area Threshermen's Association. He was on the Victor Township board and mayor of Rosholt.
He enjoyed the outdoors by fishing, hunting, camping and traveling. Mervin loved to dance, bowl, and play cards. He especially loved spending time with family and friends.
Mervin was called to the Lord's home on December 31, 2012, at his son Larry's home in Spearfish, SD. He was on home hospice care due to pancreatic cancer. His wife Rose, son Larry with wife Gayle, and grandchildren Matthew and Katie Sue were at his bedside.
Survivors include his wife, Rose of Rosholt, SD; children, Sandra (Terry) Steffens of Fairmount, ND, Larry (Gayle) Braun of Spearfish, SD, Ronald (Marcheta) Braun of South Prairie, WA, Scot Braun of St. Peter, MN, and Kristi (Marlon) Griggs of Roseville, MN; 11 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; brothers, Vincent (Marcella) Braun of New Effington, SD, Leander (Betty) Braun of Rosholt, Gerald Braun of Wahpeton, ND, Albert (Marceil) Braun of Rosholt, and Raymond (Sharon) Braun of Fergus Falls, MN; sisters, Adela Gustafson of Oakes, ND, and Marlene Luick of Fairmount; and two sisters-in-law, Ingrid Braun of Colorado Springs, CO, and Rita Braun of Rosholt, SD.
Mervin was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Diane (infancy); and brothers, Ambrose and Jerome.