A Celebration of Life for Willard Clinton Brakhage, age92, of Enid, formerly of Hunter, is 2:00 pm, Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Kenneth Wade officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Garber Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.
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Willard was born September 19, 1925 to Herbert and Mable (Johnson) Brakhage on the family farm in rural Lahoma, and passed away Friday, November 24, 2017 in Enid.
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Willard attended elementary school at Pleasant View, then graduated from Lahoma High School in 1943. Following graduation, he helped with wheat harvest then enlisted into the United States Navy on September 14, 1943. He served his country as a fire controlman for the next three years aboard the USS Ross and USS Marshal. He received several service awards, including the Purple Heart. He went to college on the GI Bill, attending classes at the University of Oklahoma, and Wichita. Willard was interested in flying, so he received his private pilot’s license, and then never flew again. He met Anna Mae Sebranek on a blind date, and they eventually were married on May 10, 1949. They made their home in Hunter, Oklahoma where Willard farmed until his retirement in 2000. He and Anna had four children, Barbara, Ron, Sandra, and Wanda. They were married 65 years prior to Anna’s passing on December 10, 2014. Willard was inducted into the Oklahoma Horseshoe Hall of Fame in 2001 He won the Class “A” Senior State Championship four times and the Class “B” State Championship three times. He and Anna were members of the Roadrunner Square Dancers Club and also enjoyed polka dancing. He was a member of the American Legion, and also a long-time member of Garber Lutheran Church.
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He is preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Mable Brakhage; wife Anna Mae Brakhage; three sisters, Opal Ritterbusch, Letha Hollingsworth, Velda Brakhage; and two brothers, Jerry Brakhage and Vernon Brakhage.
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Willard is survived by four children, Barbara Letteer and husband Mike, of Garber; Ron Brakhage, of Garber; Sandra Schovanec and husband Terry, of Hunter, and Wanda White and husband Fred of Garber; ten grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; brother Charles Brakhage and wife Michelle; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
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Memorials in Willards name may be made to Garber Immanuel Lutheran Church or Valir Hospice with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
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Condolences may be made to the family online at www.LadusauEvans.com Ladusau-Evans has been serving the families of the Enid Community and surrounding areas for over 40 years with compassionate service and dedication. They provide families with an open door policy. Feel free to contact them 24 hours a day. Visitation Hours: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm daily, 2800 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-1400.
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