James Mearl Bral

James Mearl Bral was born August, 11, 1924, in Vail, Iowa, the son of Frank Oscar and Bess Ione Crampton Bral. He was received into God?s Kingdom of Grace through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism in Vail, Iowa, July 10, 1938 and confirmed in his Christian Faith at Zion Lutheran Church, December 25, 1949. In 1932 the family moved to a farm two miles south of Schleswig where they resided until moving to Deloit in 1935. He received his education in the Vail Public School, Otter Creek rural school and the Deloit High School. During World War II, from November of 1943 until his honorable discharge in January of 1946, James served his country in the U.S. Navy, having served on the U.S.S. Ocelot, Orvetta, Dupage and Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock. On July 31, 1944, while on furlough, James was united in marriage with Lorraine Nina Peterson at Carroll, Iowa, and, upon his discharge from the service, they made their home on the farm three miles east of Deloit. Their union was blessed with two sons, James and Galen. They made their home on the farm until 1975 when they moved to Denison and James retired in 1976. In addition to his farming career he worked part time for the Soil Conservation Service in Denison from 1965 until 1975. Following their retirement, James and Lorraine enjoyed their close friendships with their former neighbors, Jerry and Paula Segebart, La Donna and the late Alvin Wiese and Kaycee Trevino. In his spare time James enjoyed refinishing antique furniture, woodworking, gardening, hunting, fishing and trapping fur bearing animals. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Denison and the American Legion Post 8, Denison, Iowa. James died Monday morning, August 31, 2009, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 85 years and 20 days. Those preceding James in death include his parents, Frank and Bess Bral, one sister, Maxine Graham and her husband, Max, one brother, Robert Bral and a sister-in-law, Carol Bral. Those remaining to cherish his memory include his wife of over 65 years, Lorraine Bral of Denison, two sons and their wives, James Lee and Joan Bral of Schleswig, Iowa, and Galen Gene and Cheryl Bral of Manilla, Iowa, five grandchildren, Jaymie Bral and wife, Jean of Storm Lake, Iowa, Julie and husband, Troy Clouse of Le Mars, Iowa, Jestin Bral and wife, Kara of Schleswig, Iowa, Jarel Bral and wife, Candice of Kiron, Iowa and Matthew Bral and girlfriend, Erica Burke of West Des Moines, Iowa, 10 great grandchildren, Jaymie Joe, John and Joy Bral, Colton, Caden and Craton Clouse, Evan and Gavin Bral and Jersey and Jayton Bral, one brother, John Bral of Omaha, Nebraska, one sister, Nancy and husband, Kenneth Love of Denison, sister-in-laws, Marcella Bral of Manilla, Marie Peterson of Denison, Iowa, Evelyn Iversen of Ida Grove, Iowa and Ruth Quandt of Carroll, Iowa, other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 3, 2009, at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Iowa, with the Rev. Kurt R. Kaiser and the Rev. David M. Sewing officiating. Music for the service included Larry Boeck singing "Beyond The Sunset" and the congregation singing "Just As I Am" and "Rock Of Ages, Cleft For Me" with Karen Kahl serving as organist. Pallbearers included John Peterson, Matthew Bral, Jarel Bral, Jestin Bral, Jaymie Bral and Troy Clouse. Honorary pallbearers were Jean Bral, Julie Clouse, Kara Bral, Candice Bral and Erica Burke. Military Honors were provided by the American Legion Post 8, Denison, Iowa. Following the graveside rites the family invited everyone to return to the church and join them for fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by Zion Ladies Aid. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison, www.pfannebecker.com was in charge of arrangements.