Vern A. Braness

Vern A. Braness, age 94, of Dassel died at his home while under wonderful care by the Litchfield Area Hospice on Saturday, August 20, 2011. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at the Litchfield United Methodist Church with Pastor Bill Kerr officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Tuesday, August 23 at the Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the services at church. Interment will be in the Lake Ripley Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Litchfield Military Honor Guard Vern August Braness was born on August 9, 1917 in Lac Qui Parle County to August and Emma (Enger) Braness. He grew up in the South Dakota and Minnesota area and attended Mehurin township school. Vern joined the army in 1941. In 2003 he received the Jubilee of Liberty Medal in appreciation for his time served during the Normandy Invasion in 1944. He was very proud to serve his country. Following his service, he moved to Darwin and stayed with his sister and brother-in-law, Irene and AI Bergeron. Vern married Florence Walls on November 13, 1948 at the United Methodist Church of Litchfield, MN. They raised their family in Darwin and Dassel. They were married for 62 years. Vern worked for Land-O-Lakes, Nelson's Motors, he and his brother owned and ran a gas station in Darwin, and also worked for Arco Auto Carriers of Wisconsin for 21 years. Vern enjoyed fishing, gardening, and visiting with family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Florence, children Barb (Henry) Lies of Darwin, Vernon (Tammy) Braness of Indianola, Iowa, Nancy (Dean) Schmitz of Dassel, Betty (Ron) Olson Cokato, Robert (Eva) Braness of Dassel, and Beverly Rucks of Litchfield, sister Elvira Hienrich of Dawson, sister-in-law Idella Braness of Madison, 19 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren, nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter and son-in-law Alice and Richard Wakefield, four brothers and one sister. Previous Events Visitation Tuesday, August 23, 2011 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home 316 Sibley Avenue South Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Wednesday, August 24, 2011 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM United Methodist Church 1000 South Sibley Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Wednesday, August 24, 2011 1:45 PM Riplely Cemetery 316 Sibley Avenue South Litchfield, MN 55355