Murrel Bud Braaten

Visitation: Will begin at 1 p.m. with a family service at 6 p.m. Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point, MT.

Funeral Service: 10 a.m. Thursday, September 2, 2010 at the Assembly of God in Poplar, MT.

Interment: will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Wolf Point, MT.

Murrel Elmer Bud Braaten, age 86, of Wolf Point, MT, passed away on Saturday, August 28, 2010 in Minot, ND.

Bud was born south of Wolf Point on October 4, 1923 to Marcus and Borghild Braaten. He was one of ten children in the Braaten family.He grew up on the Sunnyside Homestead in McCone County and graduated from Wolf Point High School. Upon graduation he joined the army and served our country in World War II.After returning from the war he married Betty Bawden in Miles City, MT on October 24, 1947. Bud and Betty lived on the Cahill farm before they moved to their own homestead just south of the river in 1951. It was there they raised their four children: Rocky, Polly, Hardy, and Bill. Bud and Betty remained happily married until her death in 2000.Bud worked for the state highway for many years before deciding to become a full time rancher. He was also an avid Elks Lodge member and served as Trail boss for various area wagon trains. He loved working with horses and charolais cattle. Most of all he truly loved being around his family and was always overjoyed to spend time with his grandchildren.

Bud is survived by his daughter, Polly (Wayne) Lien of Minot; sons, Rocky (Nyla), Hardy (JaeDee), and Bill (Marlyce) Braaten, all of Wolf Point; ten grandchildren, Travis (Jenny) Braaten, Trampus (Mandy) Braaten, Lonna (Jed) Sandau, TJ (Keith) Lozowski, Ryan (Shannon) Lien, Monica (Jim) Clinton, Tawnie Braaten, Hunter Braaten, Mandy (Josh) Haber, and Brady (Kiley) Braaten; and eight great grandchildren, Zack and Colten Sandau, Teal Lien, Jacob and Luke Clinton, and Treyden, Halle, and Lexi Haber; two sisters, Helen Bates of Lakeside, MT and Mary (Jo) Schrock of Seattle, WA; a special nephew, Edger Braaten of Kalispell, MT; and several other nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Braaten; three brothers; and four sisters.

Condolences may be sent to the family atwww.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.