Merlyn J. Braaten Obituary (1918 - 2010)

Merlyn Joseph Braaten, age 91, of Menomonie, WI died, Saturday, August 28, 2010 at The Red Cedar Medical Center in Menomonie. He was born Dec. 15, 1918 in Eau Claire, WI to Melvin & Julia (Hanson) Braaten. He was baptized and confirmed at Barum Lutheran Church near Elk Mound. He was a graduate of Elk Mound High School. Merlyn married Eileen Nichols on June 27th, 1946 at the Norton Lutheran Parsonage in Colfax. Merlyn was deployed to Europe during WWII and served in the U.S. Army from 1942-1945. He was employed at Uniroyal Tire Co. for 28 years, retiring in 1981. His true love was farming with Eileen on the family homestead in Elk Mound for many years prior to moving to Menomonie in 1984. Merlyn was very active the majority of his life at Barum church and served as a deacon. He was a member of the Elk Mound American Legion Merlyn was an avid sports fan, especially baseball and enjoyed watching his grand children and great grandchildren in their sporting events. Merlyn was always ready for a good card game of 500. He is survived by two children, Ann (Douglas) Larson of Menomonie and James (Rhonda) Braaten of Eau Claire; 2 grandchildren, Laura (Steve) Lecheler of Menomonie and Kurt Larson of Menomonie; 2 great grandchildren, Morgan and Bret Lecheler; brother, Paul (Kathy) Braaten of Lakeville, MN; sisters-in-law, Doris Braaten of Orlando, FL. and Marion Nichols of Colfax; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his parents and step-mother, Ellen; wife, Eileen (2003); brother, Lawrence Braaten; and brother-in-law, Duane Nichols. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 1:00 P.M. at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Menomonie with Pastor Roy Harrisville, III officiating. Burial will take place at Barum Cemetery in the Twp. of Elk Mound, Dunn Co., WI. Friends may call 1 hour prior to the service at the Church. Olson Funeral Home of Menomonie, WI is serving the family.