Minnesota Father Dies While Building Home For His Family

TODD COUNTY, MN — Friends and family are in shock after a Minnesota man was killed while building his family's home Saturday. Aaron Broughton, 33, of Hewitt, was working in a trench laying water lines when the trench collapsed.

Just after 7 p.m., the Todd County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call reporting the accident. Broughton was pronounced dead at the scene.

Broughton leaves behind his wife, Stephanie, and his two young children, Sylvie and Ladd.

"Like every other weekend past year, Aaron had been diligently piecing together the next steps of his family's future together on their beautiful piece of farmland in Minnesota," reads a GoFundMe page established for his family.

"Aaron was a faithful and compassionate man; generous and loving, wise beyond his years. He would drop everything to help anyone in need and always knew the right thing to say in any situation. He was devoted to his wife and children. He radiated love and positivity, and his faith in God. He enjoyed restoring cars, working with cattle and horses, old country music, coffee, being busy, and working with his hands."

Donations to the family are being used to complete the house Broughton was working on:

"Above all, Stephanie wants to live in their home, as a memorial to Aaron so their children can remember their father."

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.