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1920 Garvin 2018

Garvin J. Broin

September 26, 1920 — January 23, 2018

Garvin J. Broin, age 97 of Wanamingo passed away Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at the Zumbrota Care Center. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Holden Lutheran Church in rural Kenyon. Inurnment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 26, 2018 from 4:00 - 6:00 PM at the Mahn Family Funeral Home - Larson Chapel in Zumbrota and on Saturday for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Garvin Jewel Broin was born on September 26, 1920 in Wanamingo Township, Goodhue County, MN to Carl and Theresa (Overboe) Broin. He was baptized and confirmed at Holden Lutheran Church. He attended Wanamingo Country School through the 8th grade. He farmed with his dad and learned a family profession of carpentry. His dad and uncle built the farm from the ground up. He promised his dad he would take care of the farm until he died. Moving to the care center was very hard for him.
Garvin met Helen Swanson and they were married on October 13, 1945. They were married for 71 years, raised two daughters and were very devoted to their church and faith. Helen died on December 23, 2016 and he missed her terribly.
When free time on the farm allowed they loved to travel with the neighbors, roller skating, boating, ice skating. They loved music and dancing. In his younger years he enjoyed playing his guitar and violin while Helen played the accordion and electric organ. They instilled music in the family as they would sing together in the car, on trips, around campfires, around the organ, and listening to choirs at Christmas and Sunday school programs in the area. They loved to dance and listen to the Polka Dots, always requesting the Rangers Waltz.
Garvin liked antique shopping, going to junkyards with his friends to see what Treasures he could find for "2 Bits". He lived through the depression years and learned to save everything, because his family might need it someday.
He encouraged safety is raising his family, but was not successful in practicing what he preached. He lost fingers in corn picker, PTO and log chain accidents. He would give his family excuses and ask for help because of the lost fingers.
Garvin loved the Christmas holiday. He went to great efforts to make their home festive with lights and decorations for Christmas and made sure everyone tried the lutefisk and lefse. He also enjoyed the 4th of July, watching the parade and fireworks with his grandchildren as each year the fireworks proved better than the last.
Garvin was proud to wear the Royalty Crown for Valentine's Day at the Care Center and riding in the parade. He enjoyed playing bingo and returning to his room with his prizes. He was proud and talked daily about all the pictures on display in his room. He was a very happy man when his dog Skipper came to visit and they bonded so well together.
Garvin shingled many buildings, enjoyed carpentry projects and was proud of his hutches he made to display the crystal cups and saucers. He also welded many shepherd's hooks to hang beautiful flowers all around the house and made folding tables and other projects for his grandchildren.
Garvin is survived by his two daughters, Susan (Gary) Windhorst of Wanamingo and Kathy (Rodney) Nardinger of Lake City; four grandchildren, Jodie (Chad) Blakstad, Jamie (Brad) Quam and Staci Nardinger, all of Zumbrota and Ryan (Holly) Nardinger of Lake City; seven great-grandchildren, Dana Blakstad of Austin, Danielle and Brandi Blakstad, Tyler, Alyssa, Lyndsey and Natalye Quam all of Zumbrota; two great-great-grandchildren, Serenity and Noah Blakstad both of Austin; brother - in-law and sister-in-law, Worrell and Pauline Swanson of Goodhue and his beloved dog, Skipper.
Garvin was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; parents, Carl and Theresa Broin; grandson, Kyle Nardinger; sister, Elsie Bygd and her husband Oscar and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marilynn and Gordon Lindell.
Memorials are preferred to Holden Lutheran Church or donor's choice.

Visitation

JAN 26. 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (CST)

Mahn Family Funeral Home, Larson Chapel
1475 Jefferson Drive
Zumbrota, MN 55992

Memorial Service

JAN 27. 11:00 AM (CST)

Holden Lutheran Church
6949 County 30 Blvd.
Kenyon, MN 55946
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Garvin J. Broin, please visit our flower store.

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