Clayton Adolph Braaten

Clayton Braaten, age 92, passed peacefully at home on July 22, 2026, with his five children at his side. Clayton envisioned his passing as a “date” with his Best Friend, his wife, his Grayce. It had been 10 years since Clayton had last seen Grayce. The first thing he planned to tell her is that he has missed her dearly, and loves her more than ever.

Clayton was born on a farm near York, North Dakota, on June 1, 1934, to Adolph and Mabel (Berven) Braaten. He attended first grade in a country school, moved to Leeds, North Dakota, in 1943, and later moved to Devils Lake, North Dakota. He graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1953. In 1954, Clayton married his high school sweetheart Grayce Vetsch. He was employed by the National Tea Company in Devils Lake. With the company he transferred to Grand Forks, Park Rapids, and then to Bemidji in 1959 where he managed the National Tea store until 1975. Clayton then managed Warehouse Foods, Market Place Foods, and Food-4-Less until his retirement in May 1997. He worked 45 years in the grocery business.

Clayton served eight years in the National Guard in North Dakota and Minnesota, attaining the rank of SFC. He was honorably discharged in 1960. Clayton enjoyed golf (had a hole in one!), curling, fishing especially on Lake of the Woods and Red Lake, Bocce Ball, and waterfowl hunting at the hunting shack in North Dakota. Clayton was a past member of the Bemidji Jaycees, Knights of Columbus at St. Philips, and the Bemidji Fish Fry Crew. 

One of his most memorable experiences happened with the fish fry crew. In thanking the crew for frying fish for the US Airforce base in Grand Forks, the Airforce flew the Fish Fry Crew to the US Airforce Strategic Air Command in Omaha, Nebraska, aboard a C-135 transport that refueled in mid-air. This experience left a big impression on Clayton and resulted in his retelling the story many times with pride.

Clayton will be remembered by the love he had for his family, and his entertaining way of telling his stories. He was a man of faith who lived his life with respect, kindness, and generosity. He will be missed.

Clayton is survived by his children Laurie Braaten-Reuter (Ted), Michelle Braaten, Jacalyn Hennessy, C.J. Braaten (JoAnn), and Patrick Braaten (Nancy), 12 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren with one more on the way! He is also survived by one brother and one sister. Clayton was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Grayce in 2016, infant daughter Pamela in 1960, five sisters and two brothers.

A mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at St. Philips Catholic Church, Bemidji. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Bemidji, following mass.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Sanford Bemidji Hospice.

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