David O. Braaten, 64, of Dexter, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 24, 2019, surrounded by family at Mayo Clinic Hospital, St. Marys Campus-Rochester.

David was born March 9, 1955, in Austin, Minnesota, to Orlean and Darlene (Kirkpatrick) Braaten. He attended school in Elkton, Minnesota. On Aug. 21, 1976, he married Cathy Vermilyea. Together, they lived in Dexter and had two daughters. David worked as a truck driver, then as grader operator for Gardner Grading Excavating Company of Austin. He also worked for Osmundson Brothers in Adams, Minnesota. He spent most of his life working for Howe Countertops in Dexter. David volunteered as a fireman for 39 ½ years for the Dexter community.

David enjoyed many activities such as bowling, softball, golf, snowmobiling, farming, camping, fishing and target shooting. Most of all, he loved racing, spending time with family and friends, grilling out, and visiting in his garage.

David is survived by his wife, Cathy Braaten; two daughters, Angie (Brian) Shaw of Brownsdale, Minnesota, and Amy (Chad) Johnson of Hayfield, Minnesota; grandchildren, Brody and Gavin Shaw and Celia and Marie Johnson; sister, Jane Barnes of Houston, Texas; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ken and Elaine Vermilyea of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, and Dan and Joyce Vermilyea of Austin; and seven nieces and nephews. David was preceded in death by his parents, Orlean and Darlene Braaten; brother, Dean Braaten; sister, Judith Braaten; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Everett and Ann Vermilyea; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dean and Colleen Vermilyea; brother-in-law, Ron Vermilyea; and niece, Kimberly Vermilyea.

A memorial gathering will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary in Austin. Following the gathering, everyone is invited to continue celebrating David’s life at the Braaten Family home in Dexter.