Lenny Bratton was the fourth of seven children born to Leonard Eugene and J. Pearl (Johnson) Bratton. Dark haired and handsome, strong and smart...he was the middle of seven children. He and his siblings grew up in the country and worked the family farm where they learned to appreciate the outdoors, hunting, fishing and all water sports. He was a devoted son to his parents and a much loved brother and uncle.
Lenny attended country school through the eighth grade at Pocket Lake and also Holmes City. He completed his education in Douglas County Public Schools, graduating from Central High School in 1953. Lenny played high school sports including Football and Baseball.
In January 1954, Lenny enlisted in the United States Army Airborne arriving in Europe in March as a paratrooper/medical aidman in the Medical Company of the 11th Airborne Division 188th Infantry Regiment in Hohenfels, Germany. Upon his Honorable Discharge he attended and graduated from the Minnesota School of Business in the Twin Cities.
Lenny made his home on Lake Brophy in Alexandria; and worked for many years with his friend Al Hartung at Oman's Supply Company. He owned the Book Nook and Smoke Shop in the Viking Plaza Mall. He then moved to St. Louis Park, where he worked for NAPA for many years until his retirement. He enjoyed his hunting camp near Red Lake and summers at his home on Lake Carlos. Lenny was a member of the Alexandria Viking Sportsmen, a lifetime member of the Alexandria Elks Lodge 1685 and a lifetime member of Alexandria VFW Post 936.
Lenny Bratton died Friday, February 22, the day after his 84th birthday at his and Judy's home in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Myrtle Ann "Toby" Bratton; sisters and brothers-in-law Beverly & Bill Weisel and LaRae & Doug Barros; brothers and sisters-in-law Beryl and Dorothy Bratton and Larry and Shirley Bratton; nephews Rick Barros and Keith Barros.
Lenny is survived by his devoted partner and companion of many years Judy Sayther of St. Louis Park; Judy's daughter Michelle Smith and her children Peyton and Charlie; sisters Patty (Roy) Wicken of Alexandria and Bonnie (Gregg) Soderberg of Las Vegas, Nevada; nephews and nieces: Barry (Elsa) Bratton, Douglas AZ; Cindy Bratton (Bernie) Michael, Tucson, AZ; Darin (Kelly) Weisel of Farwell; Wendy Weisel (Lonnie) Wing; Kevin (Pauline) Weisel; Terri Hansen Paradis (Jody Webeck); all of Alexandria. Rikki Hansen (Franco) Iglesias, Woodbury, MN; Lori Kay Dosa, Santa Clarita, CA; Ross Thompson, Las Vegas, NV, Lisa Sandstrom, Bird Island, MN; Leni Thompson Petter of East Bethel, MN; Tammie Barros (David) Olson of Coon Rapids; Debra Barros (Dan) Kulkay of Chandler, AZ; and many great nephews and nieces and his friends throughout the Alexandria Lakes Area.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 29, from 2:00 to 4:00pm at the Alexandria Elks Lodge 1685, 115 15th Avenue West, Alexandria. Memorials preferred to the Veterans Memorial Park in Alexandria or the Wounded Warriors Project.
In January 1954, Lenny enlisted in the United States Army Airborne arriving in Europe in March as a paratrooper/medical aidman in the Medical Company of the 11th Airborne Division 188th Infantry Regiment in Hohenfels, Germany. Upon his Honorable Discharge he attended and graduated from the Minnesota School of Business in the Twin Cities.
Lenny made his home on Lake Brophy in Alexandria; and worked for many years with his friend Al Hartung at Oman's Supply Company. He owned the Book Nook and Smoke Shop in the Viking Plaza Mall. He then moved to St. Louis Park, where he worked for NAPA for many years until his retirement. He enjoyed his hunting camp near Red Lake and summers at his home on Lake Carlos. Lenny was a member of the Alexandria Viking Sportsmen, a lifetime member of the Alexandria Elks Lodge 1685 and a lifetime member of Alexandria VFW Post 936.
Lenny Bratton died Friday, February 22, the day after his 84th birthday at his and Judy's home in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Myrtle Ann "Toby" Bratton; sisters and brothers-in-law Beverly & Bill Weisel and LaRae & Doug Barros; brothers and sisters-in-law Beryl and Dorothy Bratton and Larry and Shirley Bratton; nephews Rick Barros and Keith Barros.
Lenny is survived by his devoted partner and companion of many years Judy Sayther of St. Louis Park; Judy's daughter Michelle Smith and her children Peyton and Charlie; sisters Patty (Roy) Wicken of Alexandria and Bonnie (Gregg) Soderberg of Las Vegas, Nevada; nephews and nieces: Barry (Elsa) Bratton, Douglas AZ; Cindy Bratton (Bernie) Michael, Tucson, AZ; Darin (Kelly) Weisel of Farwell; Wendy Weisel (Lonnie) Wing; Kevin (Pauline) Weisel; Terri Hansen Paradis (Jody Webeck); all of Alexandria. Rikki Hansen (Franco) Iglesias, Woodbury, MN; Lori Kay Dosa, Santa Clarita, CA; Ross Thompson, Las Vegas, NV, Lisa Sandstrom, Bird Island, MN; Leni Thompson Petter of East Bethel, MN; Tammie Barros (David) Olson of Coon Rapids; Debra Barros (Dan) Kulkay of Chandler, AZ; and many great nephews and nieces and his friends throughout the Alexandria Lakes Area.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 29, from 2:00 to 4:00pm at the Alexandria Elks Lodge 1685, 115 15th Avenue West, Alexandria. Memorials preferred to the Veterans Memorial Park in Alexandria or the Wounded Warriors Project.
