Evelyn C. Braaten, 92, of Austin, died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at Comforcare Good Samaritan Center in Austin.

Evelyn Crystal Nelson was born March 30, 1919, at Tolley, N.D., the daughter of George M. and Emma (Ones) Nelson. She graduated from the Tolley High School and the Trinity Hospital School of Nursing in Minot, N.D. Evelyn was married to Harmon O. Braaten at the Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church, rural Austin.

Evelyn worked as a registered nurse for more than 40 years at the St. Olaf Hospital in Austin. She was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church where she was active in Circle 9 and worked making lefse and donuts for the annual St. Olaf Scandinavian Festival. She was a member of the St. Olaf Hospital Nurses retiree group.

Evelyn had many hobbies including sewing, quilting, knitting and crocheting as well as canning and baking. For many years, she enjoyed the annual family vacations to northern Minnesota. She loved animals and reading as well as attending her grandchildren’s and great nephew’s school activities, dance recitals, baseball and basketball games.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Harmon and mother, Emma Nelson.

She is survived by daughters and son-in-law, Karen and Michael Miller, Brooklyn Park, Minn., Joanne Byrd, Minneapolis; son, Richard Braaten, Hastings, Minn.; grandchildren, Nick Byrd, Minneapolis, Kim Miller, New York City, Jenny Miller, Minneapolis, and Jessica Braaten, Flowery Branch, Ga.; sister, Joyce Braaten, Austin; brother and sister-in-law, Eldon and Ginny Nelson, Portage, Wis., sisters-in-law, Verna Braaten, Austin, Darlene Braaten, Grand Meadow, Minn.; numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with the Rev. Kristi Koppel officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held at St. Olaf Lutheran Church on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. and for one hour before the service on Wednesday morning. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.