Calvin Braaten

Calvin \""Kelly\"" L. Braaten, 84, Jamestown, North Dakota, passed away Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at MeritCare Palliative Unit, Fargo, North Dakota.

Mr. Braaten was born October 29, 1925 in Wyndmere, North Dakota, the son of Lewis and Anna (Brekke) Braaten. He grew up and attended school in the Wyndmere area. On January 12, 1944 Kelly entered the US Army and served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. He was discharged on March 26, 1946 and returned to North Dakota. On May 31, 1949 Kelly married LaVerne Guenther in Moorhead, Minnesota. They lived in Pingree until 1963 when they moved to Jamestown, where they provided a home for 71 foster children. Kelly was employed by Northern Pacific and Burlington Northern Railroad for 37 years, retiring as a supervisor. They lived in Mandan and in Fargo where he was a supervisor for Dakota division of Burlington Northern. They returned to Jamestown in 1983, where they have resided. LaVerne passed away on March 22, 2002.

Kelly was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Jamestown, Men of Trinity, an actvice member of the VFW, serving as Chaplain, Commander and State Commander, VFW Color Guard, and the Order of Cooties. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and bowling, and volunteered throughout the community.

Kelly is survived by five daughters, Anne (Randy) Walker, Zandra (Les) Hust, Corinne (Gayne) Gasal and Denise (Brent) Olson, all of Jamestown and Bonnie (Frank) Omilian, III, White House Station, NJ; 20 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; three foster sons, Doug Permann, Curtis Permann and Robert Thompson, all of Jamestown; one foster daughter, Karen Liebold, Jamestown; three sisters, Clarice Cramer, Robbinsdale, MN, Olive \""Jean\"" (Bill) Carmichael, Kalispell, MT and Inez Puetz, Burnsville, MN; and one brother, Arnold (Francis) Braaten, Minot, ND.

He was preceded in death by his wife; one sister; and two brothers.