Lloyd Brodell

Lloyd Brodell, 97, Minot, ND, formerly of Velva, passed away Monday, February 19, 2024, at Trinity Nursing Home with his daughter by his side.
Lloyd was a great man. As the saying goes, "A good man dies to himself," and Lloyd set that example in every facet of his life. He served in a war he didn't have to. He gave to his community and church every chance he could. He gave his whole life to taking care of wife and family, especially his ailing wife, sacrificially, to the very end. His giving nature is something his children learned from him. His wife, Anne passed away June 4, 2019.
Lloyd Brodell was born September 22, 1926, the son of Jacob and Margaret (Ehlke) Brodell, in Russel, ND on the family farm. He grew up in the Upham, Kramer-Newburg-Russel area and educated in Bottineau County for 1st through 8th grade. He then worked on his grandmother Ehlke's farm.
Lloyd's only sibling, Alvin was killed in France and Germany in 1944 while serving our country in the Army Infantry. Lloyd, as the remaining son on the farm was not obligated to fight for his country but he wanted to serve.
Lloyd enlisted in the United States Army in 1945. He proudly served his country during WWII as a lineman in Germany with the Signal Corps. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and joined the National Guard of North Dakota, he served as Sgt. in Company B, 231st Engineers C Battalion. After the Korean War started, he was ordered to active duty and assigned to Ft. Lewis Washington on June 30, 1950. Here he helped train the younger soldiers. He would joke about teaching them to march, then he would demonstrate his technique. He was discharged again in 1952.
Lloyd started working for Northwestern Bell Telephone as a lineman after returning from Germany. It is here that he met his wife, Anne. They were married at St. Leo's Catholic Church on June 24, 1950. While on their honeymoon Lloyd was called back to duty. They purchased a new 8x30 foot airstream and headed out to Washington. He was stationed at Fort Lewis, WA. While there, both their children Becky and Steve were born.
In 1952 they moved back to ND. They settled in Velva for the next 64 years where he continued to work for Northwestern Bell until retirement in 1984. Now he had time to fish; he loved taking his friends and grandsons to many of his favorite locations, Audubon, Cottonwood Lake, and Buffalo Lodge. He had one whopper mounted and many pictures of ones that he had caught over the years.
He developed cancer in 2016 and moved in with Becky in Minot at this time, where he lived and was lovingly cared for by her until going to the nursing home last June.
Family was incredibly important to Lloyd. He liked that he lived close to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed being involved in their lives, attending family meals, and going to many athletic events. The last event was a baseball game in 2023 to watch his great-grandsons play for Bishop Ryan.
Lloyd loved gardening and was proud of his straight eight cucumbers and early girl tomatoes. He was a member of Velva St. Cecilias Catholic Church, Velva JCs, American Legion, Velva Park Board, and Minot Elks.
His loving family includes: daughter, Elizabeth "Becky" Brodell, Minot; son, Steven (Pamela) Brodell, Portland, OR; grandchildren, Katina (Dan) Merck, Minot, Kristie Schwan, Minot, Bryan (Michelle) Schwan, Velva, Jacob Schwan, Minot, Michael (Bobbie) Buseth, Minot, Ria Brodell, Boston, MA, Julie (Andy) Martin, Portland, OR, Nick (Eva) Brodell, Portland, OR, Christopher (Jenny) Brodell, Portland, OR; great-grandchildren, Taylor Schwan, Bozman, MT, Keaton (Emma) Merck, Milwaukee, WI, Mason (Sarah) Merck, Minot, Caden Shean, (fiancé Bailey Jahner), Bismarck, Logan Merck, Minot, Ellison Shean, Minot, Carson Merck, Minot, Jace Schwan, Minot, Mack Shean, Minot, Madeline Schwan, Velva, Brecca Schwan, Velva, Sadie Schwan, Velva, Haylee Schwan, Minot, Athena Buseth, Minot, Paxton Schwan, Minot, Lilli Buseth, Minot, Frances Martin, Portland, OR, Jasper Brodell, Portland, OR, Albert Brodell, Portland, OR; 7 great-great-grandchildren; in-laws, Bernie and Richard Muus, Minot, Larry and Mary Eide, Minot, Mike and Lilly Kelly, Henderson, NV, Jerry and Maureen Kelly, San Diego, Judy Parsley, Boise, ID, Helen (Fletcher) Poling, Bismarck, Patricia Thompson, Grand Forks; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 68 years, Anne; brother, Alvin Brodell;
Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, Minot.
Interment: Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Velva, ND.
Visitation: Monday from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.
Vigil Prayer Service: Monday at 6 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: are preferred to St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Velva or St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, Minot.
The service will be livestreamed and may be accessed by going to Thompson-Larson's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@thompson-larsonfuneralhome3198