John Braaten, 80, Felton, MN, died Thursday, June 17, 2004, in MeritCare Hospital, Fargo, ND.
John Braaten was born February 3, 1924, in Victor, SD, to Oscar and Agnes (Olson) Braaten. He was baptized and confirmed in the Brandvold Lutheran Church. John was raised in Rosholt, SD, where he attended country school. He graduated from high school in Rosholt in 1942. John entered the US Army in November of 1944 and served as an infantryman in Europe during WW II. Following the war, John served as a military policeman during the Nuremberg War Crime Trials. After his discharge in December of 1946, John learned the bricklayer trade and worked as a brick and stone mason for twenty-five years.
John was united in marriage to Arleen Monson, June 27, 1953, at Grace Lutheran Church in Ada, MN. They made their home in Alexandria, MN, for eight years, where he worked as a bricklayer and where their children were born. They moved to Felton in 1961 to begin farming, while he continued brick and stone work in that area, including the stonework in the front of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Felton.
John was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, the Ada Veterans of Foreign Wars and Fargo Sons of Norway.
John is lovingly survived by his wife, Arleen, Felton; three daughters, Kari (Gary) Myhre, Glyndon, MN, and Lori (Dennis) Keblar and Natalie (Barry) Hilde, both Felton; one son, Darcy Braaten, Felton; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one sister, Madelyn (Earl) Olson, Alexandria.
His parents; three brothers, Willard, Robert and Arthur; and one sister, Alice Helgeson, preceded John in death.
Visitation: Monday, June 21, 2004; 5 - 7 PM
Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead
Prayer Service: Monday, June 21, 2004; 7 PM
Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead
Funeral: Tuesday, June 22, 2004; 11 AM
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Felton
Burial: Felton Cemetery