Terry Lee Braaten

Terry Lee Braaten age 68, of Saint James, MN, died on January 26, 2022, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Saint James. Family services will be held at the Sturm Funeral Home in St. James on Wednesday, February 2, 2022. The clergy will be Rev. Matthew Seegert. Interment will be at the Mt. Hope Cemetery, St. James. Terry Lee Braaten was born in Mountain Lake, MN to Olaf and Evelyn (Falk) Braaten on June 30, 1953. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church of Butterfield. Terry graduated with the class of 1971 from Butterfield-Odin High School. On June 11, 1971, he married Joleen Todnem. The couple had four children: Jody, James, Jason and Thomas. Terry worked as a farmer and mechanic, raising hogs, grains and up to 90 dairy cows. The Braaten farm had received the Farm Family of the Year award in 2016. Terry loved to fix up old tractors and has gained over 15 antique tractors that are used in the farming operation to this day. He also loved to drive his Semi's at harvest time. Terry served on the Dairy Improvement Board, was a member for over 15 years of the Watonwan County Fair Board, the Rosendale Township Board and also drove snow plow for the township for over 15 years. Terry is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joleen Braaten; daughter, Jody (Jimmy) Firchau of St. James; sons, Jim Braaten of Butterfield; Jason Braaten and Thomas Braaten of St. James; 2 dearly loved grandchildren, Emily and Sam Braaten; brother, Roger (Nancy) Braaten of Butterfield; mother-in-law, Carol Todnem; aunts, Anna Ringen, Mabel Olson; in-laws, Lee and Patty Todnem; Coranne and Roger Nundahl, Les and Jean Todnem, Brad Todnem, Val and Dan Raway, Dan and Vicky Todnem-Miller; along with many nieces, nephews and their families and friends.