Roger Lloyd Braaten, 87

Published 11:51 am Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Roger Lloyd Braaten, 87, of Blooming Prairie, Minn., died Sunday, June 9, 2013, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin, Minn.

Roger Braaten

Roger was born Jan. 7, 1926, in Austin to Teeman and Olga (Adams) Braaten. On April 1, 1944, he was united in marriage to Berniece Dahl in Owatonna, Minn. The couple lived in Blooming Prairie for 69 years, which was their entire married life. Roger worked as a carpenter and construction worker, and then later as a bus driver. He served his country in the United States Navy. He was a member of First Lutheran Church, where he served as head usher. Roger was also a member of the American Legion and the VFW. He was a NASCAR fan, and enjoyed spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Berniece Braaten of Blooming Prairie; his children, Robert (Carol) Braaten of Blooming Prairie, Linda (Walter) Nelson of Hayfield, Minn., Judith Slegh of Maple Island, Minn., Douglas (Debra) Braaten and David (Rita) Braaten, both of Owatonna, Debra (Gene) Whittington of Hayfield, Brenda (Keith) Trom of Rochester, Minn.; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Roger was preceded in death by his parents Teeman and Olga Braaten, his son Roger Braaten, his son-in-law Gary Slegh, three sisters, one brother, and one step-great-grandson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 13, 2013, at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie with the Rev. Charles Leonard and the Rev. Heidi Heimgartner officiating. Friends may call at the Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Interment will be in First Lutheran Cemetery, Blooming Prairie, with military rites by American Legion Post 52 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 878. The family prefers memorials be directed to First Lutheran Church of Blooming Prairie. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.