Parnell Marvin Brackey

Funeral services for Parnell M. Brackey, age 82, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at the Emmons Lutheran Church. The Rev. Christopher Martin will officiate.  Interment will be in the Lunder Lutheran Cemetery, with military honors accorded by the Emmons American Legion.  Visitation will be from 4 – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.  
Parnell died early Sunday morning at the Albert Lea Good Samaritan Society after a recent admission for an extended illness.
Parnell Marvin Brackey was born on December 5, 1930 in Leland Iowa, the son of Palmer and Myrtle Brackey. He was baptized in Leland and attended school there and in Kiester, MN. He was confirmed at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kiester. At age 17 Parnell enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served two years in the Korean Conflict.  Parnell was united in marriage to Marjorie Quam on July 12, 1953. They would have celebrated their 60th anniversary in a few days.  In his early years, Parnell was employed at Smith Douglas, Emil Olson, and also farmed.  He was a livestock dealer in Scarville, IA, and later started his own business as a licensed livestock dealer in Emmons in 1968. He enjoyed his annual fall cattle buying trips to Northern Minnesota. Parnell was involved in several business ventures in the Emmons area including developing real estate lots and houses, the Arrowhead Golf Course, and farmland.
Parnell was a member of the Emmons Lutheran Church, a volunteer with the Emmons Fire Department, and a member of the American Legion. He served on the Emmons School Board and was honored to serve as Grand Marshall for the 2012 Border Fest Parade.  Parnell was a loving family man.  He enjoyed golf, bowling, dancing, playing cards, and coffee and conversation with friends.
Survivors include his wife Marge; children Lonna (Scott) Selkirk of Northfield, MN, and Todd (Joanne) Brackey of Twin Lakes; grandchildren Brandon Brackey, Katie (Derek) Lenz, Jenna (Matt) Hauan. Haley Selkirk, and Paige Selkirk; great-grandson Cruz Hauan; sister Helen (Kent) Allison; sisters-in-law Arlys Brackey, Cindy (Russ) Ellenwood, Jane (Dale) Christopherson,  Sharon (Luther) Kalb, and Jane Deckard; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Parnell was preceded in death by an infant daughter Sonja Jo; his parents Palmer and Myrtle,  and parents-in-law Sidney and Florence Quam; brother Duane Brackey; sister Alice Wehner, and brother-in-law Ron Deckard.