LaVoyle R. Braaten, 77, of Hettinger, ND, formerly of Reeder passed away on January 3, 2022 at the St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck.  Funeral Services for LaVoyle will be on Friday, January 7, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Reeder.  Deb Molbert will officiate with burial to follow in the Wolf Butte Cemetery, rural Reeder.  There will be a Family and Friends Service on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church beginning at 7:00 p.m.

FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE LIVE STREAMED ON THE:  Ours Saviors Lutheran Church Facebook page

LaVoyle was born on May 31, 1944, to Reuben and Agnes (Rogne) Braaten. The oldest of eight children, he was raised on the family farm in Darling Springs Township, rural Reeder. He attended Darling Springs School through the eighth grade and then attended high school at Hettinger Public School, graduating in 1962. After graduation, he attended North Dakota State School of Science at Wahpeton.

On September 17, 1966, LaVoyle married Linda Steen at the Rainy Butte Lutheran Church, rural New England. They lived in Hettinger where LaVoyle worked at Hersud's Farm Supply and Farmers Union Oil until they moved back to his family farm to help his dad farm. They were blessed with their daughter, Carmen, and began building a life on the family farm with the love and support of his parents and four sisters still living at home.

In addition to farming, he built a farrowing operation that sold feeder pigs. After becoming allergic to pigs, they were sold, and sheep took their place. LaVoyle loved to ride horse. There was always at least one to ride or in the process of being broke to ride.

After purchasing the farm from his dad, LaVoyle sold the sheep and raised Gelbvieh cattle. He continued to farm until 2003. When the farm was sold, he and Linda moved to Hettinger.

Before his retirement, he worked as a driver transporting railroad personnel from Aberdeen, SD to Forsythe, MT. LaVoyle enjoyed telling stories and getting to know the crew members he met. Even after his retirement, several of these crew members would stop by to visit.

LaVoyle loved hunting, fishing, and getting out on his boat. In his later years, he enjoyed fishing with his grandkids and giving boat rides. He and Linda enjoyed visiting Glacier National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and Yellowstone. When at home, there was always a western to be watched and enjoyed.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, of 55 years; daughter Carmen (Robbie) Erickson, Reeder, ND; granddaughter Michaela (Alex) Anderson, Reeder, ND; granddaughter Emily Erickson, Scranton, ND; grandson Hayden Erickson, Reeder, ND; sisters Bonita (Spencer) Bovee, Harrisburg, SD; Arlinda (Jerel) Seamands, Hettinger, ND; Judy (Domanick) Gesvalli, Kenmare, ND; Karen (Myles) Austin, Rock Springs, WY; and Gladine (Mike) Little, Bayard, NE. Brothers-in-Law Dean (Judy) Steen, Littleton, CO and Wade (Paulette) Steen, Tower City, ND; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Reuben and Agnes Braaten, brother Keith Braaten, sister Bobbie (Larry) Zimmerman, nephew Jason Zimmerman, and father and mother-in-law James and Kathryn Steen.