Mike grew up in Clarks and is the son of Don and Annette Branting. He graduated from Clarks High School in 1980. Mike is the meat department manager at Economy Food Store here in Stromsburg, where he has worked since November of 1983 (almost 20 years!). His first experience working in a grocery store was at Douglas' Market in Clarks. He was in the seventh grade and after school he would go to the store and clean the saw. He eventually started cutting meat, and he also gained much experience through the Clarks FFA Chapter where he had the opportunity to do meat judging when he was in high school. After graduation, he worked for Bud Mills at the Clarks Locker. In September of 1981, he was hired by Dennis Johansen/Johansen's Jack & Jill in Osceola where he was the butcher until Dennis sold the store in September of 1983. Marv Wadell had told Mike that if he ever needed a job to come and see him, and that's what he did. He started working at Economy Food Store in November of 1983 and has been there ever since.
Mike married Roni Johansen from Osceola in 1988 and they made their home in Stromsburg. They have three daughters: Rachel 11, Laura 8 and Sarah 6.
Mike has been busy in our community these past few years. He is a member of the Stromsburg Volunteer Fire Department and is currently serving on the Cross County School Board. He is a member of the Stromsburg Evangelical Free Church. He enjoys working with kids, and he has been the Stromsburg Awana Club commander for 11 years. Kids who don't know his name come into the grocery store and say "Hi" to the "Awana man."
One of Mike's favorite pastimes is baseball. He played for the Stromsburg Swedes semi-pro team for several years. He decided maybe he was getting too old to play, but he still wanted to be involved. He is on the Stromsburg Baseball/Softball Committee and has coached 10-12 year old boys. He isn't coaching this year but hopes there will be enough boys for a 12-14 year old team next year because he misses coaching!
Mike is one of those guys who you can call if you need help with just about anything. He has made our community a better place because of his willingness to serve others. Congratulations Mike!
Brought to you by The City of Stromsburg and the Stromsburg Chamber of Commerce
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Mike grew up in Clarks and is the son of Don and Annette Branting. He graduated from Clarks High School in 1980. Mike is the meat department manager at Economy Food Store here in Stromsburg, where he has worked since November of 1983 (almost 20 years!). His first experience working in a grocery store was at Douglas' Market in Clarks. He was in the seventh grade and after school he would go to the store and clean the saw. He eventually started cutting meat, and he also gained much experience through the Clarks FFA Chapter where he had the opportunity to do meat judging when he was in high school. After graduation, he worked for Bud Mills at the Clarks Locker. In September of 1981, he was hired by Dennis Johansen/Johansen's Jack & Jill in Osceola where he was the butcher until Dennis sold the store in September of 1983. Marv Wadell had told Mike that if he ever needed a job to come and see him, and that's what he did. He started working at Economy Food Store in November of 1983 and has been there ever since.