Vernon
Brateng, 71Grygla - Vernon Brateng, 71, died Thursday, May 6, 1999 at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls.
Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, May 10 at Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla with Reverend Paul Knutson officiating. Joy Nordby was the organist. She also provided vocal music along with Marie Anderson. Casketbearers were Lynn Anderson, Terry Wiseth, Tony Wiseth, Paul Nordby, John Nordby, Don Landsrud, Brian Brateng and David Paulson. Honorary casketbearers were Leland Thomas, Donald Thomas, Rodney Byklum, Ronald Byklum, Wallace Hol-thusen, Ralph Smith, Robert Verbout and Roger Smith. Burial was in St. Olaf Cemetery in Valley township of Marshall county. The Green Funeral Home of Thief River Falls was in charge of the arrangements.
Vernon Duane Brateng was born on July 18, 1927 in Marcus, Iowa, the son of John and Elizabeth (Nielson) Brateng. The family moved to Thief River Falls in 1928. Vernon was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. When he was 17 years old, he entered the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Guam.
On November 5, 1950 Vernon was united in marriage to Arlene Jeanette Anderson at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Grygla. He worked building elevators in North Dakota and also at the missile sights in Grand Forks. In 1967 Vernon and Arlene purchased his parents' farm west of Grygla. He farmed and worked as a carpenter until retiring in 1997.
He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla, the VFW and the American Legion.
Vernon is survived by his wife, Arlene of Grygla; two sons, David (Linda) Brateng and Mike (Tami) Brateng, both of Grygla; three daughters, Sheila (Mark) Stenseth of Goodridge, Debbie (Roger) Bertelson of Froid, MT and Julie (Blaine) Rugland of Coon Rapids; 11 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
He is also survived by three brothers, Gordon (Margaret) Brateng of Olathe, CO, Lyle (Rose) Brateng of Tacoma, WA and Wendel (Doris) Brateng of New Hope; four sisters, Joyce (Ernest) Landsrud of Grygla, Beverly (Dick) Burris of Veradale, WA, Shirley (Orvis) Nordby of Grygla and Yvonne (Ray) Ellis of Wabasso; and many nieces and nephews.
Vernon was preceded in death by one daughter, Sharon, and his parents. A00003B1999MY12