Kathleen "Kathy" Braaten

**To watch a recording of the service, please use the link: https://youtu.be/oBopM_5_-Qg 

Kathleen “Kathy” Braaten, 69, Manvel, died Friday, May 14, 2021 in Sanford Hospital, Fargo, ND.

Kathleen “Kathy” Murphy was born October 13, 1951, the daughter of Gerald and Betty Murphy of Manvel, North Dakota. Kathy started her life in Manvel and moved with her family to Seattle Washington, where she graduated from Franklin High School. After she graduated, she went to school to become an LPN. She worked in Seattle for a few years, then she came back to North Dakota where she went to work for United Hospital in Grand Forks. While working full time, Kathy completed her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of North Dakota. She later became a traveling nurse, helping those who were in need in the area. After a while, she returned to Altru where she retired from.

She met Harlan “Butch” Braaten. They were married on July 16, 1977. They welcomed their son Marshall in 1978, and their daughter Erin in 1979. They made their home in Manvel where they raised their children.

Kathy became involved with the Grand Forks Sister City exchange program in the 1990s. She made several trips to Grand Forks’s sister city, Ishim, Russia, where she brought medical supplies and good will.  She enjoyed being a talented painter and spending time with her grandchildren.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Butch; son Marshall; daughter Erin (Wade) Stadstad; grandchildren: Emma, Ellie, and Charlie; brother Tom (Tes) Murphy, Manvel, ND; sister Karen (Jim) Miller, Buckley, WA and many nieces and nephews.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, brother Joe and sister Mary Hellen.

Memorial Mass will be held May 19, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, Manvel.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 18, 2021 from 5 to 7 p.m. with a rosary at 6:30 p.m.