John W. Broden

John W. Broden, 97 of Devils Lake formerly of Starkweather, ND passed away on Friday evening, October 28, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake. John was born October 2, 1919 in Atwater, Minnesota, the son of Andrew William and Elizabeth (Kitsch) Broden. He moved with his parents in the early 1920’s to rural Starkweather where they farmed in Sullivan Township. John attended grade school in Sullivan Township and graduated from Starkweather High School with the class of 1937. He farmed with his parents and to help in the war effort, he moved to Burbank, California and worked for Vega Aircraft Company. On April 22, 1942, John began his military service with the United States Army Air Corp, serving his country during World War II. Because of his aviation background with Vega Aircraft Company, John was trained as a Technical Instructor in the overhaul of engines and trouble-shooting carburetors and electrical systems and as a Flight Engineer in both the B-24 and B-29 aircraft. He served as a home front soldier in Harlingen, Texas. After his honorable discharge as a Staff Sergeant on December 5, 1945 he returned to North Dakota and the family farm. John was united in marriage to Mary Genevieve Blaufuss on June 20, 1949 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Devils Lake. They established their home on the Broden farm, rural Starkweather where they lived, worked and raised their family through the years. John and Gen wintered in Arizona for 27 years and for the past 8 years, have made Devils Lake their home. John also served as Administrative Assistant for the Devils Lake District of the North Dakota State Highway Department for 20 years. John was very active with the District 15 Democrats and actually shook hands with President Harry Truman, when he was on a whistle stop tour of North Dakota. He was a former member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church where he was a CCD teacher for many years. After it closed, they were active members of Assumption of Mary in Starkweather and now members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Devils Lake. He also was a life member of the Knights of Columbus. John was also very community minded and served on the Devils Lake Community Credit Union Board for 30 years and was a past President of the Ramsey County Farmers Union. He also enjoyed membership in the Starkweather American Legion, Devils Lake Elks Lodge. When John had a break from work, he loved the outdoors, gardening, hunting, fishing, including fishing trips to Canada, Alaska and Mexico. Family vacations were very special times together and he was famous with his grandchildren for his charcoal grilled chicken. John was a man of great faith, great love for his family and his country and will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him. John is survived by his wife of 67 years, Genevieve; son and daughter-in-law Curtis and Marcie Broden, Leeds, ND; daughter, Deborah “Debbie” Bolin, Dickinson, ND; grandchildren Eric Bolin, Shanna (Chris) Urban and Ryan Bolin, Tiffany Broden and Justin Broden; sister Monica Engelhart, Twin Falls, ID; brothers Wolter (Colleen) Broden, Sauk Rapids, MN and Leo (Bernice) Broden, Devils Lake; sisters-in-law Donnabelle Blaufuss, California and many nieces, nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter Tanya Broden; brother Nicholas Broden; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Edward Engelhart, Mary Broden, Geraldine and Frank Schall, William and Clara Blaufuss, Jerome Blaufuss and Mathew and Allie Blaufuss. Visitation for John will be held on Friday, November 4, 2016 at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. The Rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus. Visitation on Saturday will be at St. Joseph Church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 5th at 10:00 a.m. St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, rural Webster, ND with Military Honors accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Casket Bearers will be John’s grandchildren Eric, Shanna, Ryan, Tiffany, Justin and grandson-in-law Chris. Reading the Scriptures will be Eric Bolin, Tiffany Broden and Shanna Urban and Gift Bearers will be Justin Broden, Ryan Bolin and Chris Urban. Music will be provided by Kevin Regan and Patty Cote.