OBITUARY-
Funeral services for Chester C. Braaten, age 87, of Albert Lea will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, 2003, at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church. Rev. Bruce Falksen will officiate. Interment will be in Red Oak Grove Cemetery. Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, 2003, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Chester died Monday, Sept. 1, 2003, at Albert Lea Medical Center.
Chester Clarence Braaten was born March 1, 1916, to Thomas and Annie (Thompson) Braaten in Eagle Bend, Minn. For 16 years Chester worked the family farm while his brothers were in the service.
On Sept. 19, 1942, Chester was united in marriage to Naomi Reimers in Austin. The couple continued farming the family farm. In 1951 they moved to Maple Island where Chester worked for Wards. He was then employed by Ulland Bros. for 32 years as a heavy equipment operator, retiring in 1981.
During their working years, Chester and Naomi enjoyed fishing and spending time at their cabin on Cedar Lake with their children and grandchildren.
Chester was a member of Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church and the Operating Engineers Local 49.
Survivors include children: Judy and husband Dennis Moen of Lake Stevens, Wash.; David and wife Mary Braaten of Albert Lea; grandchildren: Eric Moen, Lake Stevens, Wash.; Amber Nolan and daughter Lauren of Brea, Calif.; Dana and husband David Vander Waal, their twins Ryan and Kristi of Yorba Linda, Calif.; Trent Goskeson and children Alix and Evan of Albert Lea; Heidi and husband Chris Venem and twins, Josie and Jaiden of Albert Lea; and great-granddaughter, Melissa Moen and her daughter Breahana of Brea, Calif. Other survivors are brother, George and wife Edna Braaten of Austin; sisters: Milda Williamson of Austin; Berniece and husband Sylvester Thompson of Austin; Netta and husband Arley Hutson of Austin; and Ann and husband Floyd Hemingway of Missoula, Mont.; sisters-in-law: Cora Braaten of Austin; and Doris Braaten of Moscow; and nieces, nephews and cousins.
Chester was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Naomi; and brothers and sisters: Hazel Cockran, Henry E. Braaten, Ole Braaten, Edna Ryan, Tilmen Braaten, Myrtle McMann and Alice Majerus.