Bernard Brake

Bernard J. "Ben" Brake, age 81, of Ward Springs, died Sunday, September 16, 2007 at his home in Ward Springs.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 19 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Grey Eagle with Rev. Mark Willenbring officiating. Interment will be at St. Bernard's Cemetery in Ward Springs with military honors provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church in Grey Eagle. Parish prayers will be at 8 p.m. Tuesday evening.

Bernard Brake was born August 14, 1926 in Birchdale Township, Todd County, Minnesota to Frank and Caroline (Feldewerd) Brake. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1944 to 1946. Ben worked on the VanDrehle Farm for 7 years and then for Worms Lumber & Ready Mix in New Munich and Sauk Centre until he retired in the mid 1980's. He belonged to St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Ward Springs until it closed and then became a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Grey Eagle. He enjoyed working on the farm.

Survivors include his sisters, Sr. Helen Ann Brake, O.S.F. of Little Falls, Irene Perish of Long Prairie, Eleanor Froelich and her husband, Mike of Albany, Clara Rahn of Melrose, and Laura Zenzen and her husband, Ray of Meire Grove; sisters-in-law, Barb Brake of Sauk Centre and Helen Brake of Grey Eagle; brother-in-law, August Schmidt of Freeport; and many nieces and nephews.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents; Frank and Caroline Brake; brothers, John Brake, Henry Brake, and infant brother, Lawrence Brake; sister, Marie Schmidt; and brothers-in-law, Louis Perish and Herman Rahn.

Serving as casket bearers will be Jim Brake, Marvin Rahn, Richard "Dicky" Rahn, Tim Brake, Tom Brake, Jerry Schmidt, Don Rahn, and Raymie Schmidt. Serving as cross bearer will Larry Brake and scripture bearer will be Mary Ann Monroe.