Blaine Leonard Braaten, 91, of Austin, Minn., died Sunday morning, Dec. 4, 2011, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home in Austin.

He was born Oct. 21, 1920, in Owatonna, Minn., to Carl and Marie Braaten. Blaine attended country school near Corning, Minn. On Jan. 25, 1941, Blaine married Doris Davidson in Northwood, Iowa. He entered the Army, serving in Europe in the Battle of the Bulge and earned a Bronze Star. After his discharge from the Army, Blaine returned to Austin and went to work for the Hormel Company in the hog cut. He retired in 1979. His hobbies included rebuilding wrecked cars and reselling them during retirement, CBs and ham radio, woodworking and furniture building. He also repaired TVs and installed antennas while working at Hormel. Blaine moved to St. Mark’s on Nov. 30, 2011.

Survivors include his children, Doug (Linda) Braaten of Austin, Terry (Ginger) Braaten of Tempe, Ariz., Mike Braaten of Austin, Michelle “Micky” Braaten of Mesa, Ariz.; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Marie; wife, Doris; son, Bruce Braaten; great-grandson, Colton Biwer; two brothers, Les and Dale Braaten; two sisters, Cora Sill and Mamie Dunlop.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, at the Worlein Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Glenn Monson officiating. Military rites will be performed by the American Legion Post 91. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery at a later date. There will be no visitation. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.