Ethel Sylvia Hanson, daughter of Severin & Emelia (Brenden) Hanson, was born February 9, 1925 in
Watonwan County
,
Minnesota
.
On April 5, 1925, Ethel was baptized into the Lutheran faith by Reverend P.J. Danielson in
Madelia
,
MN
.
At the age of 3 years, Ethel’s family moved to
Elbow Lake
,
MN
, where she grew up on the family farm.
On June 4, 1939, Ethel was confirmed by Reverend O.G. Aasen at
Ness
Lutheran
Church
in
Elbow
Lake
.
Ethel began her schooling at the District 48 country school, where she remained through eighth grade.
She then attended
Barrett
High School
in
Barrett
,
MN
, graduating with the Class of 1943.
After her schooling, Ethel took a job cooking and cleaning at the West Central School of Agriculture in Morris.
On June 12, 1948, she was united in marriage to Obert Leland Braaten at
Ness
Lutheran
Church
in
Elbow
Lake
by Reverend O.G. Aasen.
Following their marriage, the couple made their home in the Farwell, MN area, where Ethel was a full-time homemaker, a Pope County Dairy Herd Improvement Association Supervisor and a meter reader for Runestone Electric.
Ethel was an active member of
Nora
Lutheran
Church
, where she was involved with the Nora Ladies Aid, She sewed quilts and made layettes, health kits and school kits for Lutheran World Relief and served as a Sunday School teacher. She was a member of Nora Homemakers. She faithfully kept a journal of daily activities. She was a member of the Morris Heart to Heart Group and the Sons of Norway.
Some other activities that she enjoyed included quilting, embroidering, reading, dancing polkas and waltzes, doing puzzles and word finds, sewing, baking, gardening and playing cards and games with her grandchildren.
She served the most delicious homemade caramel rolls.
She will be remembered by all her children and grandchildren for her meatballs, homemade lefse and her Christmas cookies which were kept in the front porch.
Ethel and Obert enjoyed traveling throughout the
United States
and
Canada
, and had visited
Norway
twice to the area from which her grandparents immigrated.
Ethel will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Ethel died on Friday, April 2 at her home in
Morris
,
Minnesota
, having lived to reach the age of 85 years.
She is survived by her husband, Obert Braaten of Morris; four children: Karen (Don) Auel of Elk River, David (Carol) Braaten of Farwell, James (Karen) Braaten of Kensington and Kevin (Leila) Braaten of Hancock; nine grandchildren: John (Sarah) Auel of Elk River, Ryan Auel of Milaca, Jeffrey (Heidi) Auel of Brainerd, Tina (Ryan) Biss of Wendell, Darrin (fiancé Maria Lund) Braaten of Kensington, Joanna Braaten of Kensingson, Alan Braaten of Kensington, Megan Braaten of Moorhead and Nickolas Braaton of Hancock; four great-grandchildren: Katie Bedbury, Colin Bedbury, Avery Auel and Inga Auel; one sister, Delores (Eugene) Froemming of St. Cloud; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Johnny (Beverly) Braaten; sister-in-law: Mildred Dahlseng and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Harold Hanson; three grandchildren and brother-in-law: Arnold Dahlseng.
Pallbearers for the service are: John Auel, Ryan Auel, Jeffrey Auel, Darrin Braaten, Alan Braaten, Nickolas Braaten and Ryan Biss.
Honorary pallbearers are Tina (Braaten) Biss, Joanna Braaten, Megan Braaten, Sarah Auel, Heidi Auel and Maria Lund.
Laverne Olson will serve as organist for the service, with Connie Solvie serving as soloist.
Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
