Obituary for DUANE OSCAR ���DEWEY�۪ BRAATEN
Duane Oscar "Dewey" Braaten passed away at the Pioneer Medical Center in Big Timber on April 4, 2014, following over a year-long courageous battle from colon cancer. Dewey was born May 7, 1930, at home east of Grey Cliff to Oscar H. and Helen Christine Elgen Braaten. He joined brother Kenneth and sister Betty. Sister Lorene "Lolly" joined them later. He attended grade school in Grey Cliff and graduated from Sweet Grass County High School in 1947 where he loved participating in boxing, wrestling, football, and basketball. Following high school, he worked on the family ranch. Ranching and the out of doors remained loves of his throughout his entire life. On October 28, 1951, he married Georgia Aalgaard. They were blessed with three daughters Diane, Susie, and Judy. The girls loved gathering around the piano to sing while their dad played. Playing music by ear was one of his talents. In 1972, Dewey and Georgie sold their ranch and purchased Gambles Hardware. Through Gambles, Dewey traveled to Spain, Bermuda, Mexico, and made many trips to market. He ran Gambles until his retirement in 1998. On June 19, 1982, he married Pamela Kae "Pam" Crawford. They shared almost 32 years together. They took many road trips and attended several Green Bay Packer games over the years. Dewey enjoyed golf, being the first person to hit a hole in one at the Overland Golf Course. He also enjoyed bowling, biking, playing cards, yardwork, crossword puzzles, armchair sports, and attending high school sporting events. He served on the football chain gang for many years.He loved having morning coffee with friends at Cole Drug, playing pitch at the Legion Club, and the many annual golfing trips with his buddies to Nevada. He was a civic-minded community member serving on school boards, library board, and golf course greens committee. He was a long time president of the men's bowling league, a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and a docent at Crazy Mountain Museum. Dewey was a devoted family man, friend, and neighbor.He was kind, caring, thoughtful, generous, humble, and unassuming. Dewey was fun-loving, and he loved life. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Georgie; his parents; his brother; and his sister, Lolly. He is survived by his wife, Pam; daughter Diane (Duane) Tronrud of Melville; daughter Susie Bonnarens of Medford, OR; daughter, Judy (John) Emenegger of Brush Prairie, WA; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sister Betty (Hobert) Heiken; brother-in-law Speed Imlay; uncle Erwin Elgen; aunt Liz Elgen; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank the staff at Billings Clinic Oncology and Infusion Center and the staff at Pioneer Medical Center and Hearts and Hands Hospice for their wonderful care. Cremation has taken place and memorial services will be held 2:00 P.M. Friday April 11, 2014 at the Big Timber Lutheran Church. Memorials in Dewey's name may be made to Hearts and Hands Hospice, POB 1337, Big Timber, MT 59011, Crazy Mountain Museum, POB 83, Big Timber, MT 59011 or to a charity of one's choice.
Service:
2:00 P.M. Friday April 11, 2014
Bigh Timber Lutheran Church
Service:
2:00 P.M. Friday April 11, 2014
Bigh Timber Lutheran Church
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