Wayne Brager
July 23, 1932-Oct. 24, 2024
Leeds
Wayne Arthur Brager, 92, of Leeds, ND passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at SMP Heath St. Catherine’s South nursing home in Fargo, ND. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 2, 2024, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, in Leeds, with Father Daniel Musgrave celebrating. Visitation will be on Friday, November 1, 2024, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with a 7:30 p.m., Vigil Service at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Interment will be at the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Cemetery: 5125 49th Avenue NE, York, ND, 58386, or to the Leeds Ambulance Service: P.O. Box 361 Leeds, ND, 58346.
Wayne was born on the farm July 23, 1932, near Knox, ND, to Fred and Lena (Garber) Brager. He was raised by his father and sisters, as his mother passed away when he was 18 months old. He attended grade school in a country school and finished his education in Leeds, when the family moved North of Leeds in 1941.
Wayne was drafted into the United States Army in 1952, and was deployed to Korea shortly after. July 14, 1953, he was severely wounded in North Korea. For the better part of a year, he was nursed back to health in numerous military hospitals around the world and when fully healed at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C., he was honorably discharged from the Army. Wayne was awarded a Korean Service Medal, Bronze Service Star, United Nations Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and a Purple Heart.
On November 4, 1955, he married Mary Ann Burkhardsmeier. They lived in Leeds, where they raised four children. Wayne owned and ran a bulk oil business until he sold it in 1977. After selling his business, he worked for area farmers. He also had his own hobby farm just walking distance from his house in town. Wayne lived in his own home of 55 years before going into a nursing home in September 2024.
In 2023, Wayne was honored for a 70-year membership of the Leeds American Legion Post #101. He was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, the Leeds Golf Club and the Leeds 55 Club. In his earlier years, a member of the Leeds Fire Department.
Wayne loved to travel with his wife, Mary, and enjoyed all their camping adventures together. He spent many hours playing cards with family and friends. He was a true outdoorsman, enjoying a good game of golf and working outside as much as he could. He had many fun memories of hunting and fishing with his family and friends. He attended many local school activities for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Wayne was a very kindhearted man and everyone who knew him enjoyed his visits. Each morning, he would go to his neighbors to have coffee with his friends. He taught us all how to love and loved us all. He was an amazing man who will be missed by everyone.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary of 63 years, and his sisters, Thelma Messersmith, Francis Davidson, Ester Stave and Bernadine Hall.
He is survived by his children; sons, Francis (JoAnn) Brager of Saint Michael, MN; Wayne F. (Peggy) Brager of West Fargo, ND; daughters, Connie (Dennis) Paulson of Leeds, ND and Linda (Brian) Young of Leeds, ND; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements are with the Nelson Funeral Home of Leeds, ND. Online condolences may be left at www.thenelsonfuneralhome.com.
Published by The Pierce County Tribune, November 2, 2024.