ERNEST L. BRAGER

ERNEST L. BRAGER Ernest L. Brager, 50, Cooperstown, ND passed away Monday, September 9, 2013 near McVille, ND as a result of a truck accident. Ernie was born December 7, 1962 in Mayville the son of Marvin and Elvina (Gleason) Brager. He grew up in Blabon, ND. He attended school in Hope, ND graduating from Hope High School in 1981. He attended Wahpeton State School on Science graduating with a degree in Diesel Mechanics. He returned to Hope where he worked with his father in the sanitation business. Ernie and his brother Myron owned and operated Brager Disposal in Cooperstown, Finley, Hope, and many small towns in the area. He married Patricia VanZee Taylor in Finley, ND. The couple made their home in Cooperstown ND. Ernie was dad to eight foreign exchange students, whom he loved dearly. Ernie was very active in the community serving on Cooperstown City Council, Cooperstown Golf Course board and Cooperstown Fire and Rescue. He was a member of Trinity Church, Northern Mayflower Lodge #45, Kem Temple of Grand Forks. Ernie loved his classic cars, restoring many of them over the years, shooting sports, snowmobling and “the scooter club”. He is survived by his loving wife, Trish, Cooperstown ND, his mother, Elvina Mickelson, West Fargo, ND; sister Faye Conzo, Grand Forks ND; brothers Keary (Sandie) Fargo; Myron (Karn), Sibley, ND; David (Lorna), West Fargo, ND; sisters-in-law Pam (Wayne) Koering Hillsboro, ND; Crystal (Greg) Storhoff of Mount Ayr, IA; brothers-in-law Clair (Laurice) VanZee, Galesubrg, ND, and Joel VanZee of Williston, ND; 17 nieces, 21 nephews, 21 great nieces, 19 great nephews, one great-great niece, and one great-great nephew. Godchildren include Mallory Brager, Dylan Johnson, Nick Koering, Garrett Storhoff, and Marissa Ellefson. Ernie was preceded in death by father Marvin, brothers Gene and Jerry, brother-in-law Joe Conze, parents-in-law Chet and Jean VanZee, and stepfather Orvid Mickelson. Funeral services will be Friday, September 13, 2013 at 11:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cooperstown, ND. Visitation will be Thursday, September 12, 2013 from 5:00 till 7:00 in the Church and one hour before services in the Church. A Prayer Service will be Thursday at 7:00 pm in the Church. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Shriner's Children's Hospital.