Gerald "Jerry" Braaten

To watch a recording of the service, please use the link: https://youtu.be/pKtf-YV31BM 

Gerald “Jerry” Clarence Braaten was born in Grand Forks, ND on November 15, 1947, to Clarence Braaten and Marjorie (Stamness) Braaten. He passed away at home the morning of Friday, August 8, 2025.

Jerry graduated from Central High School in 1965. He married Betty Walford later that year and they had 4 children. He worked in Williston, Fargo, then Grand Forks as a Rehabilitation Counselor. He married Karen Kosanda in 1978.

In 1986, Jerry opened a bookstore, Dakota Books, in Grand Forks and continued to collect books, jewelry, silver, sports cards and various antiques the rest of his life. He was always involved in the community and politics, working hard on the campaigns of both Karen and her father. He also loved cruising, having been on 50 of them.

In 2015, he married Kristi (Kris) Rostad Korsmo Braaten. They enjoyed several years of traveling before health issues slowed him down, but still enjoyed spending the cold months in Mesa, AZ.

Jerry is survived by wife, Kris, her children: Grant (Kath Korsmo) and Amy (Bryce) Boyd and 4 children: James, (daughter-in-law, Laurie), Jason (Lauren) Braaten, Joel (Denise) Braaten, and Shawna (Jared) Angerhofer; 16 grandchildren: Bridget, Amanda and Erik Braaten, Luke, Austin, and Shane Braaten, Anthony and Joel, Jr Braaten, Taya Tuseth, Avra, Dylan, and Kylie Angerhofer, Owen and Eli Boyd, and Elsie and Amelia Korsmo; and 1 great- grandson: Zeven Angerhofer; one sister, Debbie Braaten-Johnson, one brother, Richard (Rick) Braaten and his wife, Deb, and brother-in-law Greg Davis. He also had many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law, Dave and sister, Carol.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at Amundsen Funeral Home.Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the start of the service.Burial will be held in Calvary Catholic Cemetery.