Agnes Caroline Braaten

Agnes Braaten, lifelong resident of Portland, ND, passed away Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at Luther Memorial Home in Mayville, ND, at the age of 98. Agnes Caroline Strand was born May 16, 1914, the eldest of eight children to Theodore and Clara (Bothun) Strand in Viking Township, ND. She was baptized and confirmed at Aurdahl Lutheran Church, Portland, and graduated from Viking School No. 1 and attended Portland High School. She met Garvin Braaten in 1934. Soon after, he wrote her a letter asking her for a date. They married on June 21, 1935 at the Aurdahl Church Parsonage. In 1939 they moved to the farm that would become the home where they raised their three children. In her 60 years on the farm, Agnes helped milk cows, drove tractor during haying season, and always had a huge garden, fruit trees, and flower beds to care for. She also enjoyed embroidering dishtowels and dresser scarves and making latch hook rugs. In the mid-1960s they sold the cattle, and started raising chickens. This developed into a successful business, and she became known as “Grandma Egg” to many local children. They retired from the egg business in 1973. Garvin passed away on May 22, 1978. Agnes remained on the farm until 1999 when she moved into Portland. Agnes enjoyed spending time with her family and doing her “puzzle books.” She will be remembered for her gentle nature and her cooking and baking talents. Her family had many favorites including: “Grandma’s chicken,” glorified rice, and her sugar and molasses cookies (to name a few). She also taught her family how to make lefse, and it is has been an annual family tradition for several years. Agnes is survived by her two daughters, Betty Larson, Portland, Lilah (Clifford) Johnson, Mandan, ND; daughter-in-law, Sandy Braaten, Mayville; seven grandchildren, Steven (Shannon) Ust, Cibolo, TX, Laurie (Todd) VanEnk, West Fargo, ND, Robert (Stacy) Ust, John (Lori) Ust, both Portland, David (Kathy) Ust, Clifford, ND, Bonnie Johnson, Randy Johnson, both Mandan; 17 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Maynard (Edith) Strand, sister, Gladys Thuen, both Portland; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Garvin; son, Thomas; granddaughter, Gayle Marie Ust; son-in-law, Odin Larson; brothers, Clarence, Orville, James, and Ernest Strand; a sister, Mavis Carlson; brothers-in-law, Selmer Thuen, Raymond Carlson, Theodore, Elmer, Oscar, and Gerhard Braaten, William Goughnour, Francis Aasrude; sisters-in-law, Judy, Henrietta, Mildred, and Arlene Strand, Evelyn Aasrude, Agnes, Mollie, Louise, and Sophie Braaten. Visitation: Will be on Monday, December 17, 2012 from from 5 to 7 PM at the Baker Funeral Home Chapel and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Service: 10:00 AM Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at Aurdal Lutheran Church in Portland, ND. Burial: Aurdal Cemetery, Portland, ND.