Kenneth “Norton” Braaten, 71, of Bagley, Minnesota died on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at his home in Bagley, MN.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Bagley, Minnesota with the Pastor Randy McGuire officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be held at the Bagley City Cemetery. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bagley assisted the family with arrangements.

Ken was born on July 18, 1949 at Fosston, MN the son of Donald and Ellen (Thayer) Braaten. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He entered the United Sates Navy on December 13, 1967 at Norfolk, VA. He served our country and was honorably discharged on May 1, 1970 at Norfolk, VA. Ken attended Thief River Tech. and earned a degree in Auto Body. While attending school, Ken met Sharon Moen. They were married on May 20, 1972 at Thief River Falls, MN. He worked briefly at Brost Chevrolet in Crookston and Strandlien Motors in Bagley. He and Bob Wilson opened their own business, Western Body Shop which they ran for 13 years. While he was at Western Body Shop, he was also a sub mail carrier for the United States Post Office. When a full-time position opened up at the Post Office, Ken took that job and was a mail carrier for 35 years, retiring in 2006. Ken was a 51-year member of the Irvin Blix American Legion Post #16 where he was the past Commander and Adjutant. He was a lifelong member of the Pioneer Farmers, was the past president of the Clearwater Historical Society, and the past president and active member of Zion Lutheran Church. Ken was a Lions Club member and started on the Bagley Fire Department on March of 1978 retiring after 20 years in June of 1998. He was a “collector of the junk”. He loved building and riding his Trike and enjoyed tractors. He treasured lots of tinkering, was a builder and could fix anything.
He was the family historian and a legend at Craig’s List.

He is survived by his wife – Sharon Braaten of Bagley, MN
Father – Donald Braaten of Bagley, MN
Son – Chris Braaten of Bemidji, MN
Daughter – Jessica (Nathan) Braaten of Bagley, MN
Granddaughter – Madysen Braaten of Bemidji, MN
Sister – Daisy (Rick) Luggar of Shevlin, MN
Brother – John (Vicki) Braaten of Bagley, MN
Brother Paul (Roberta) Braaten of Clearbrook, MN
Brother – Ernie Braaten of Bagley, MN
Sister – Shannon (Wade) Gray of Bagley, MN
Uncle – Jerome (Betty) Thayer on Menomonie, WI
Several nieces and nephews and cousins

He was preceded in death by his daughter – Janelle; mother – Ellen Braaten; Brothers – Daniel and Ross (Billie) Braaten; grandparents – Charles, Jenny Thayer, Alfred and Rose Braaten.