Eugene "Gene" Braathen

Arne Eugene “Gene” Braathen, 74 of rural Starkweather, passed away on Monday evening, March 8, 2010 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Gene will be held at the Trinity-Bergen Lutheran Church, Starkweather on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Robert Buechler will officiate and burial will be in the Trinity-Bergen Cemetery in the spring. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 12, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Gene Braathen was born on May 19th, 1935 the son of Arne and Susanna (Erickstad) Braathen. He attended Starkweather Public School and graduated in 1954. He married Doris Dick on June 3rd, 1960 at Munich, ND Gene farmed his entire life, farming on his own since he was a freshman in high school. Gene built their family home in 1974 on his grandfather Erickstad’s farm that was homesteaded in the 1800’s. He went custom combining for years and for over 40 years, Gene has driven a school bus for the Starkweather Public School. Gene was always active in the church and the community serving on several boards including the Garske Elevator board, Fire Department board, Odd Fellows Board and also was supervisor of Hammar Township. He was an active member of Trinity-Bergen Lutheran Church and served on the Church Council and also the Church board. Gene was involved in intramural basketball, bowling, curling, and softball. His two passions in life were family and farming. If he wasn’t with his family, he was visiting friends and more than likely they were talking about farming or about family. After years of being involved in his own children’s school functions, he enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and school activities. We know he’s in heaven cheering on his beloved grandchildren. Go Thompson Tommies, May-Port CGPatriots, May-Port Ice Dawgs, Valley-Edinburg Titans, Concordia Cobbers, and Bemidji State Beavers! Gene is survived by his loving wife of nearly 50 years, Doris; his children, Kathy and her husband, Marty Syrstad of Thompson, ND, Dean Braathen and his wife, Deborah of Hoople, ND, Marla Ingebretson of Portland, ND, Gina Braathen of Queen Creek, Arizona and Aaron Braathen and his wife, Allison of Grand Forks; grandchildren, Randall, Bryan, Jarad and Michael Syrstad; Preston, Brianna, Haley, Alex and Claire Braathen; Jenaye and Jace Ingebretson; Ava Braathen; sisters, Margy (Tom) Gabrielsen of Grand Forks and Joyce Pendell of Poughkeepsie, New York; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Eileen Aafedt of Munich, ND, Gloria (Ken) Towers of Grand Forks, Bertha (Ervin) Sand of Galesburg, ND and Albert (Sandy) Dick Jr. of Devils Lake. Many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Albert and Katherine Dick and brother-in-law, Wayne Aafedt. Serving as Casket Bearers for Gene will be Mark Erickstad, David Erickstad, Allen Hansen, Gordon Braathen, Gordy Braathen, Kent Braathen, Marty Syrstad, Ervin Sand, Ken Towers and Tom Gabrielsen. Honorary Bearers will be all of Gene’s Grandchildren, relatives, dear friends and neighbors. Music will be provided by Dennis Dockter and Julie Wentz, vocalists and Carol Sue Pederson, organist.