On Tuesday, March 2, 1999, Arthur "Art" Lloyd Braaten,
late of Weyburn, passed away at the age of 75 years. Predeceased
by his parents, Knut and Ella Braaten; brothers: Richard, Elmer,
Harry, Fred, Roy, Herbert and Andrew Braaten; and one sister,
Alice Rumbold. Art leaves to mourn his wife, Grace Overland Braaten
of Weyburn; children: Donald (Lucy) Braaten and their children:
Eric, Lana, Caleb of Forget, SK; Colleen (Merv) Mooney and their
children: Shawn of Yellow Grass; Jody of Regina; Maureen (Ron)
Loos and their children: Cody, Evan of Saskatoon; brothers: Eddy
(Anne) Braaten of Margo, SK; Raymond (Mabel) Braaten of Swan River,
MB; sisters: Edna Elliot of Saskatoon; and Eileen Evans of Boisie,
Idaho; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Art was
born March 7, 1923 to parents Knut and Ella, nee Wangen, at the
old log house on the homestead at Kuroki, SK in the Margo district
where they had settled from South Dakota. He was baptized at Moe
Concordia Lutheran Church there. All together Art had nine brothers
and three sisters, with Eddy remaining on the family farm. Art
completed Grade 8 at the country school, and then worked for SaskPower.
He was close friends with the Overlands, and married Grace in
1957 after she had been suddenly widowed and her two young children
left fatherless. Don and Colleen received Art as father in every
way, and soon another sister, Maureen was born, completing the
family. Art and Grace farmed for a few years at Lintlaw, moving
into town to operate the restaurant there as well. Art also drove
a school bus route and sublet another. In 1968 the family moved
to Weyburn where Art worked with Cockshutt Implements and then
Canada Wire and Cable until retirement. In preparing for retirement,
Art and Grace had moved out to Yellow Grass. Now from their retirement
home they produced crafts for all the flea markets and craft shows
around: garden markets, bird houses, whirlygigs, farmers fannys,
tulips and more - with Art doing the woodwork and Grace the painting.
Art was a real people person and loved the visiting at all the
sales. They travelled, not only for fishing trips up to Fishing
Lake, and to visit relatives in BC, Idaho, and Ontario, as they
had done with the children, but also to see Las Vegas, Texas and
Mexico. They loved to go out dancing or to coffee with neighbors.
About three years ago, Art was diagnosed with cancer of the colon.
With surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Art's condition
stabilized and he enjoyed a year of reasonable health. During
this time, Art and Grace reached their 40th wedding anniversary
and celebrated with the reaffirmation of marriage vows and a big
gathering of family and friends. When the cancer invaded Art's
liver they moved back into Weyburn to be closer to hospital services.
But even though Art was very sick, they had the whole family into
their new place for Christmas. He stayed home as long as possible,
passing away after only 2-1/2 weeks in hospital. Art loved having
his family around him, visiting with his friends, learning from
people. He was a patient and gentle man with a good sense of humour,
who rarely lost his temper and loved to tell a story or play a
practical joke. Art was always appreciated for his calm, relaxed
ways and will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.
Funeral service was held Saturday, March 6, at 11:00 a.m. from
Zion Lutheran Church, Weyburn with Pastor Ron Bestvater officiating.
Interment followed in Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn. All those in
attendance were considered to be honorary pallbearers. The active
pallbearers were Terry Braaten, Ron Kuiper, Stanley Braaten, Jerald
Schmidt, Don Gallinger and Steve Sayeau. Those wishing to express
their sympathy may donate to the Memorial Monument Plaque or to
a charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements were in care of
Hastings-Dionne Funeral Home Inc., Weyburn.