Eleanor Braaten

Eleanor Theresa (Odegaard) Braaten, age 90, formerly of Kindred ND, entered eternal life on September 17, 2019 at Bethany on 42nd in Fargo ND surrounded by family who sang to her as she breathed her last.

Eleanor was born on June 15, 1929 in Breckenridge MN to John and Christine (Golberg) Odegaard. She was raised on a farm near Wyndmere ND with her parents and six siblings. She attended Wyndmere School where she was the Salutatorian of the class of 1947 and Editor of the Wyndmere High School newspaper “The Wyndmere Warrior.” She served as church organist at Gol-Aal Lutheran Church through her middle school and high school years.

Following high school graduation, due to a teacher shortage she taught 11 students at Garborg #2 Rural School. She then attended Concordia College in Moorhead MN and graduated in 1952 with majors in Music and English. Following college graduation, she taught English and Music in Leeds ND for a year. She later taught Music in Davenport ND. She also served as church organist at Kindred Lutheran Church where she was also active in teaching Sunday School and directing and singing in the choir. She encouraged the love of music to many kids by spending years teaching piano lessons.

She married Elder Braaten at Gol-Aal Lutheran Church, rural Wyndmere ND on July 12, 1953. Elder and Eleanor made their home on the Braaten homestead where they farmed. In 1978 Elder and Eleanor welcomed a crown princess who later became Queen Sonja of Norway to tour their farm.

Eleanor moved to Fargo when her husband needed additional services for his Alzheimer’s disease. She later moved back to Kindred until 2014 when she moved to Pioneer House in Fargo ND. Eleanor moved to Bethany on 42nd ten days prior to her death. The family appreciates the wonderful care given to Eleanor by the staff of Pioneer House for five years and also the love and assistance of the Hospice and Bethany staff.

Eleanor is survived by her five children: LaVonne Nokleberg, Janet (Jeff) Kub, Rodney Braaten, David (Teresa) Braaten, all of Kindred ND, and Vickie (Jerry) Kub, Davenport ND. Also surviving are grandchildren: Katie (Troy) Rickord, St Louis Park MN; Lance (Kari) Nokleberg, Kindred ND; Shanna (Adam) Brech, Pierre SD; Angie (Chris) Twite, Kindred ND; Brandon (Erin) Kub, Kindred ND; Brady (Tracy Grueneich, fiancée) Kub; Jason (Chelsey Pizel, fiancée) Kub, Horace ND; Riley Braaten, Alec Braaten, and Tori Braaten, all of Fargo ND; and Gunnar Braaten, Kindred. Eleanor leaves 12 great grandchildren: Joshua and Miles Rickord; Lane and Trinity Schuchard; Ellie Nokleberg; Kaylee and Audree Brech; Jackson, Madelyn, and Peyton Kub; Savannah and Kasidee Christensen. Eleanor is also survived her sister Carol Mitskog.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, siblings Olaf Odegaard, Clifford Odegaard, Gerald Odegaard, Clarice Thiel, and Grace Yorks and great granddaughter Kailyn Kub.

Visitation will begin at 5 pm followed by a prayer service at 7 pm at the Fredrikson-Boulger Funeral Chapel in Kindred ND on Monday, September 23. Visitation will be at the Kindred Lutheran Church at 10 am Tuesday, September 24 followed by the funeral at 11 am.

Following the funeral and lunch, burial will be at the Kindred Cemetery.