Daniel “Moe” Ray Braaten, 51, of Austin, Minnesota, died unexpectedly on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, at Mayo Clinic Health System of Austin.

Daniel was born in Austin on April 16, 1964, to Thomas and Lucille (Wehner) Braaten. He attended and graduated from Austin High School in 1982. He then enlisted in the US Army and traveled all over the world during his four years of duty. In 1988, he met the love of his life Tamara Novak while attending college. They married on Aug. 26, 1988, in Austin. Daniel worked for several area companies as a maintenance mechanic. He never lost the desire to learn and he achieved many diplomas. Over the past couple of years, he had been working for Ventura Foods.

Daniel enjoyed mowing his yard, gardening, barbecuing, cooking, fishing and riding his motorcycle. In his younger years, he was an avid hunter. He developed a soft heart for animals and couldn’t bring himself to shoot wildlife any longer. He was an awesome storyteller, especially about his family and their activities, and he could fill a room with laughter. Daniel was a member of the Masonic Temple. Daniel was full of life and lived his life to the fullest. He was always there to lend a helping hand when needed. It didn’t matter who or what was needed. From putting air in the neighborhood kids’ bike tires or fixing their chains so they won’t fall off, fixing the plumbing of his daughter’s friend, or mowing the lawns or snow-blowing the neighbors’ just because he was there, Daniel was always just a call away, willing to drop what he was doing to help a friend in need. If you were a friend to Daniel, he gave you a nickname and you were stuck with it for life.

Daniel is survived by his wife Tamara of Austin; son, Benjamin Braaten of Mankato; daughters: Emily (Kjell) Jacobson of Kittery, Maine, and Allison Braaten of Austin; his mother Lucille of Belle Plaine; siblings: Thomas (Teresa) Braaten of Rapid City, South Dakota, Teresa (Myron) Bratsch of Belle Plaine, Lucinda (James) Williams of New Prague; along with multiple nieces and nephews.

Daniel is preceded in death by his father Thomas Braaten; and a sister, Debra Braaten.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, at Crane Community Chapel with the Rev. Dale Christiansen officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, at Mayer Funeral Home with a Masonic Service starting at 7:45 p.m. There will also be visitation an hour prior to the funeral on Thursday. Military Rites will be performed by the Austin American Legion Post No. 91 immediately after the service. Burial will be private. Online Condolences-www.mayerfh.com.