Verna Braaten
Verna Braaten, 91, formerly of Watford City, N.D., passed away on Feb. 23, 2019, in Fairfax, Va., after a brief illness.
Verna was born in Fergus Falls, Minn., on March 14, 1927. She was the daughter of Christian Larsen and Anne Sauden Larsen and sister of James Larsen. She attended High School in Fergus Falls and graduated in 1945. After completing high school, she worked for many years as a licensed practical nurse in Fergus Falls. She married C. Orlin Anderson on Dec. 16, 1946. She and Orlin were foster parents for over 5 years. Their life together brought them to Fargo, Bismarck, and Dickinson, N.D. Orlin preceded Verna in death in 1972.
In 1974, Verna married Marvin Braaten and they lived for several years on Marvin’s farm south of Arnegard, N.D. In their leisure time, they enjoyed fishing in McKenzie Bay, N.D., during the summer and golfing in Mesa, Ariz., during the winter.
Upon Marvin’s death in 2012, Verna moved to Fairfax, Va. She spent her time at The Virginian, a retirement community, where she was a member of the Welcoming Committee. Verna never lost her fondness for playing card games and spent several afternoons a week playing bridge and canasta. She spent her free time watching golf and baseball, and became a loyal Washington Nationals’ fan. Verna was an avid reader and spent every morning reading The Washington Post, as well as the biographies and works of non-fiction that she always loved.
Verna is survived by her daughter, Susan Anderson-Muhs (Charles Muhs) of Oakton, Va.; and Bob Anderson (Linda Anderson) of Watford City, N.D.; and her five grandchildren, Laura Muhs (Scott Schwendener), Michael Anderson, Alexandra Muhs, Sarah Anderson, and Katie Anderson.
A memorial service will be held for Verna this summer in her home state of Minnesota.