He was born Sept. 22, 1944, the third oldest of seven children in Nykirke, Norway. At the age of nine, he was invited to come to America by his aunt and uncle and jumped at the chance. He took a steamer, by himself, across the ocean to New York City, and then boarded a train to Rutland, South Dakota where he attended school and helped his aunt and uncle on the farm.

Ole learned early on that he was fascinated by books and learning and taught himself English between planting rows. He attended high school at Augustana Academy where he met Marcia Johnson, whom he later married. After attending Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, he began medical school at the University of South Dakota and finished at the University of Minnesota. He and Marcia had four children and settled in Fairmont in 1974, where he began practicing internal medicine at the Fairmont Hospital and Clinic. Eventually he opened the Braaten Medical Clinic where he practiced until he retired and moved to Galesville with his second wife Lorraine. He was dedicated to the practice of medicine and made a connection with each of his patients. It seemed they adored him almost as much as his family did.

Ole was known for his intellect and passion for learning. He was a voracious reader and had a wide range of knowledge, it seemed about everything. He loved nothing better than a good debate or discussion. He enjoyed fast cars and usually drove as if he were on a racetrack. Ole also loved basketball and spent many lunch hours on the court at the old armory. Ole enjoyed spending time with his kids and grandkids and traveled to Norway regularly to visit his siblings. He perfected the art of making Norwegian waffles for breakfast and his kids could always find candy hidden under the couch where he watched TV.

Ole is survived by his children: Eric (Gena) Braaten, Tina (Nancy) Braaten, Peter Braaten and Elise (Matt) Nienow; their mother, Marcia Braaten; grandchildren, Jack, Kai and Emma Braaten, Finn and Nala Braaten, and River and Paikea Nienow; as well as family in Norway.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to Doctors Without Borders at donate.doctorswithoutborders.org.

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