David Elmo Braaten

David E. Braaten, age 88, of Burnsville, MN, formerly of Grand Forks, ND, passed away on March 21, 2025 surrounded by his family. David was born on August 12, 1936 in Grand Forks, ND to Nels and Gena (Meslow) Braaten. The family later moved to Eagle Bend, MN. He graduated from Eagle Bend High School, then went on to receive a Bachelor's Degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN in 1958. David joined the US Army and served as a lieutenant in the medical corps in Germany until being honorably discharged in 1962. David married Ardis Hofstad on June 20, 1964 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, MN. Although they grew up together in Eagle Bend, MN, their love story didn't begin until they met in Norway while Ardis was attending school in Oslo and David was visiting relatives during a leave while stationed in Germany. They spent a lifetime as partners in life and marriage, with David becoming Ardis' caregiver for the last years of her life. David and Ardis were able to celebrate their 60th anniversary in the summer of 2024. Ardis preceded David in death, passing away on August 15, 2024. They had two children, Ann and Sonia. Their grandchildren, Karryn and Emily Boche and Grant and John Henderson, were their pride and joy. David worked as the Director of Grand Forks County Social Services until his retirement in 1998. Previously he served as Director of Foster County Social Services in Carrington, ND. During his time in Carrington, he was involved in starting their volunteer ambulance company. He served on the board of directors for Development Homes in Grand Forks, ND, where he has a scholarship in his name. He was active with AARP, serving on the executive council and the governmental affairs committee for the state of North Dakota. He enjoyed working with Habitat for Humanity. Looking out for the vulnerable and helping others was his lifelong mission rooted in his faith in God. David had many hobbies and interests. He was a woodworker, building a workshop in his backyard as his post-retirement project. He was a member of the Wood Guys for many years, building lasting friendships with his fellow woodworkers. He used his handyman / woodworking skills to create or repair over 200 projects at his church, Sharon Lutheran and at Christus Rex Campus Church in Grand Forks. David and Ardis were church choir members in each congregation in which they were members and a team on the lefse-making crew. He participated in book clubs, Bible studies, and was always thinking, learning and problem solving. He loved trains, especially his model railroad that traveled with him on every move over his lifetime. His sense of humor was a trademark - even sending jokes of the day via text to his daughters in his later years. His wish was to be remembered with smiles and tears of laughter, not sadness. David is survived by his daughters, Ann (Duane) Henderson of Caledonia, WI and Sonia (Timothy) Boche of Farmington, MN; his grandchildren; brother, Grant (Jennifer) Braaten; sister-in-law, Carole Hofstad; nieces and nephews, extended family and friends. Preceding David in death are his wife, Ardis (Hofstad) Braaten; parents Nels and Gena Braaten; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law John and Ruth (Hofstad) Ferguson and Phil Hofstad. Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 10:00am at Sharon Lutheran Church (1720 S. 20th St.) in Grand Forks, ND. The funeral will follow visitation at 11:00am with Deacon Jamie Travers presiding. A luncheon will be held at Sharon Lutheran following the funeral service. Interment will be held at Hope Lutheran Cemetery in Eagle Bend, MN at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in David Braaten's memory be directed to Development Homes, Inc. at https://www.developmenthomes.org/get-involved/donation.html or Hilltop Regional Kitchen at https://hilltopregionalkitchen.org/donate/donate-now/.

Tributes

David Elmo Braaten

August 12, 1936 - March 21, 2025

Tributes

David Elmo Braaten

August 12, 1936 - March 21, 2025

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