Buford Broderius

Buford William Broderius was born December 1, 1923, in Osceola Township, Renville County, Minnesota, the son of William John and Lillian Vlasta (Macik) Broderius. He was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church in Osceola Township. Buford grew up in Osceola and Melville Townships, and attended country school for several years. He was a 1942 graduate of the Hector High School. Buford served his country in the United States Marine Corps. He was inducted on April 24, 1945, and served with the Military Police at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California. Upon his discharge on August 16, 1946, he returned to the Hector area. On March 16, 1951, Buford was united in marriage to Elvera Fern Jakobitz at the Church of the Nazarene in Buffalo Lake. They made their home near Hector in Melville Township where they farmed and raised their three children, Cynthia, Brian, and Eric. Buford's entire family loved their life on the farm. Everyone in the family participated in the farming operation to raise hogs, a variety of crops such as corn, soybeans, and sugar beets, as well as sweet peas and sweet corn for Green Giant. For over twenty years while operating his farm, Buford operated a Green Giant pea combine or drove a truck to deliver sweet corn for Green Giant. Buford and Elvera shared 52 years of marriage. After Elvera passed away on August 26, 2003, Buford stayed active on the farm until he moved into Prairie View of Hector in 2008. Residing at Prairie View in Hector did not keep him from his passion of farming, as he continued to make daily trips to the farm to check on the crops and provide assistance when needed. Buford was a member of the United Methodist Church in Hector which was also a place where Elvera could share her love for arranging and displaying flowers. Buford always encouraged and supported Elvera's love for displaying flowers in churches, local garden clubs, and at Renville County competitions. Buford supported his children in their local school activities in school or out of school. His motto was "School Comes First." This support continued as his children completed their college years in Fargo-Moorhead. Buford enjoyed traveling, and for nearly twenty years, he and Elvera traveled to North Carolina and Virginia and spent time with their children, Cindy and Eric. He was thankful for the opportunity to continue visiting them after Elvera passed away. He also enjoyed his annual trip to the Minnesota State Fair which included a long visit to the John Deere displays on Machinery Hill, a cold malt at the dairy barn, a walk to the swine barn to see Minnesota's largest hog, and a ride with each of his children on the double Ferris Wheel. Buford loved college basketball, and was a huge fan of the University of North Carolina Tar Heel and Georgetown Hoya basketball teams. Buford thoroughly enjoyed opportunities for visiting with friends and family. He developed relationships with several North Carolina guys over the years and renewed these friendships over breakfast coffee and biscuits annually when visiting. On Monday afternoon, March 4, 2013, Buford passed away at the Renville County Hospital in Olivia, surrounded by his family. He had reached the age of 89 years, 3 months, and 3 days. Blessed be his memory. Buford is survived by his Children: Cynthia Broderius of Carrboro, North Carolina, Brian Broderius and his Wife, Shelly, of Hector, Minnesota, and Eric Broderius of Woodbridge, Virginia; Grandsons: Blake Broderius and Alex Broderius of Hector; Brothers: Lloyd Broderius and his Wife, Maxine, of Hector, and Forrest Broderius and his Wife, Mary, of Hector; Sister-in-Law Donna Broderius of Hector; Nieces, Nephews, other relatives, and friends. Buford was preceded in death by his Parents, Wife Elvera, and Brother Malcolm Broderius.