Alton Bratland 1914-2003

BRATLAND, SOLBERG, NEWGAARD

Posted By: S. Ferrall (email)
Date: 8/14/2004 at 03:41:09

Alton "Bennie" Bratland, age 89, of Harpers Ferry, Iowa, passed away Thursday, November 13, 2003, at the Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wis., after a short illness. He was born June 9, 1914, in Spring Grove, Minn., the second oldest of seven children, to Albert and Hannah (Solberg) Bratland. He attended Morgon School in rural Spring Grove. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, stationed in the jungles of New Guinea. After the war, he remained in Spring Grove, caring for his mother and father until their deaths. In 1951, his employment brought him to Harpers Ferry, where he would meet and become a lifelong companion of Loella Luster. Her large family became "his" family and they loved him dearly. He was a kind and gentle man. He loved God, his country, and people He was a wonderful dancer, and enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, and visiting with people. He retired from Webster Lumber in 1979, at which time he moved to Harpers Ferry. He remained in the Luster home after Loella's death in 2000, until health concerns prompted his move to the Walter Schmidt Independent Living Center in Prairie du Chien, Wis., in October of 2002. He is survived by his sister, Harriet Newgaard of Spring Grove, and his brothers Roland (Ann) of Laurel, Mont., and Odell (Margie) of Rivera Beach, Fla.; sisters-in-law Elvina Bratland and Pauline Bratland; and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his extended family of Harlie (Connie) Luster of Harpers Ferry, Mary (Neil) Kane of La Crosse, Ernie (Alice) Luster of Lansing, Myrtle Spinner of Davenport, Iowa, Clarence (Kay) Luster of Cincinnati Ohio, Madonna (Jim) Rouiller of Waukesha, Wis., John (Joyce) Luster of Prairie du Chien, Charles (Rita) Luster of Hiawatha, Helen Rissman of Prairie du Chien, and Charlotte (Glenn) Monroe of Viroqua, Wis. He was also dearly loved by their children and grandchildren. Bennie was preceded in death by his brothers, Kenneth, Glenn, and Vernon; his sister-in-law Gladys; his companion of 50 years, Loella Luster; and also by James Luster, Don Spinner, and Donnie Rissman. Memorial services were held Monday, November 17 at St. Ann's Church in Harpers Ferry with Fr. Louis Trzil officiating. Kim Luster McLaughlin was organist and song leader and Nick Monroe was soloist. Military services were provided at St. Joseph's Paint Rock Cemetery by the American Legion Post 722 of Harpers Ferry. Hanson Funeral Home of Waukon assisted the family with arrangements. Eternal Rest Grant unto him O Lord, And May the Perpetual Light Shine upon him.

©Waukon Standard 2003
source: Waukon Standard, Waukon, Allamakee Co. IA, 11/26/2003