Floyd M. Braaten

Floyd Manley Thorsness Braaten, age 88 died on December 26, 2012 at the Stewartville Care Center.

Floyd was born on March 11, 1924 in Rochester to Sadie Thorsness and Ray Fletcher. Floyd was later adopted by Albert and Mathilda Madson Braaten. He was baptized Floyd Manley Thorsness Braaten on April 30, 1924 at West St. Olaf Lutheran Church. The family farmed in Westfield Township, Dodge County, Minnesota. In March 1931, when Floyd was seven, his step-mother Mathilda died from burns sustained in a stove fire accident.  Mattie Madson (Mathilda’s Mother) helped Albert raise and care for Floyd.  In September of 1934, Floyd’s father Albert remarried Olga Hensrud.

On September 14, 1979 Floyd married Cheryl Rita LeDuc in Rochester. The couple had a daughter, Melind and an adopted son.

Floyd made many trips to Sioux City, Iowa, where he located his birth mother. He also made contact with his half-brother.

Floyd was a hard worker, and spent much of his time helping farmers in the Hayfield/Blooming Prairie area. He also helped at the Salvation Army Store in Rochester.

Floyd enjoyed driving tractors, caring for livestock, having fun, visiting his step-aunts, “coffee-time”, and a good joke. He was always known for his great sense of humor. Floyd lived his later-years in apartments in Rochester until he moved into the Stewartville Care Center.

A memorial service for Floyd will be held at 10:00AM on Thursday, January 10, 2013 at the Stewartville Care Center Chapel. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services.

Blessed be his memory.

Macken Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.