Robert Lewis Braaten

Robert, 'Bob', Lewis Braaten, 84, of Pine Island, Minnesota died at his home after a short battle with cancer on Wednesday, August 12, 2020.Bob was born January 14, 1936 in Le Raysville, Pennsylvania to Isabelle (Smith) and Olaf Braaten. The family moved to Wanamingo, MN when Bob was 10 years old. He attended school there, playing baseball, basketball and football; graduating in 1954 from Wanamingo High School.After school, he worked in Rochester, MN for Marigold Dairy and then started a career with IBM. On June 23, 1957 Bob married Shirley Schaefer at Methodist Church in Pine Island where they raised three children. Shirley passed away in 1998 after a hard fought battle with cancer. Bob was lucky and found love a second time. He married Margaret, 'Sis', Robertson on November 6, 1999. Bob played amateur baseball for Wanamingo. In the State Tournament he pitched a no-hitter taking them to a 7-1 victory with 17 strikeouts (and one unearned run)! Through the years, he continued to play sports from baseball to fast-pitch softball, basketball, volleyball, and trap-shooting. Bob was a Boy Scout leader, he started Pine Island Golden Gloves, as well as the Whistlin' Wings Ducks Unlimited Chapter where he was chairman for 16 years. He was an avid trapper and enjoyed deer hunting. One of his favorite places to hunt was Wyoming for 48 years. He also enjoyed duck and pheasant hunting. Bob's favorite part of hunting was with his sons, son-in-law, grandkids, and friends. Bob retired from IBM after 30 years. He started his hobby of 'Braaten's Collectables' where he bought and sold antiques. He enjoyed reading and writing about his collectables, sharing stories of his youth, and walking with his golden retriever, Rookie, daily. He is survived by his wife, Sis and his children all of Pine Island: Denise (Todd) Robertson, Mike Braaten, Mark (Jill Jantzen) Braaten, and close nephew, Travis Schaefer; his step-children: Tammy (Doug) Schommer of Stewartville, Troy (Patti Redmann) Robertson of Rochester, Tawn Robertson of Rochester, Trent (Nancy) Robertson of Foley and Travis (Ginelle) Robertson of Kasson; his siblings, Orgene (Carol) Braaten of St. Paul and Vicki Arendt of Mazeppa; step-sister, Luana (Ralph) Skibiel of Boise, Idaho. Grandchildren: Jaime (Brian) Sorum, Chad (Kasarah) Robertson, Zachary (Shannon) Miller, Tayler Braaten, Jacob Braaten, Michael Braaten, Jordyn Braaten, Brady Braaten, Lincoln Braaten, Summer Jantzen and Colin Jantzen; 11 step-grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren and 5 step great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife Shirley, parents and step-dad, brother Obert (Diane) Braaten, brother-in-law, Ernie (Vicki) Arendt and step-sister DeAnn Stephens. Bob's Celebration of Life is Thursday, August 20th at Mahn Family Funeral Home in Zumbrota, MN with public visitation from 3-8 pm. A private memorial service for the Braaten/Robertson family will be Friday, August 21st at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Zumbrota, MN. Masks are required for all services.

Honorary pallbearers are Chad Robertson, Zachary Miller, Tayler Braaten, Jacob Braaten, Michael Braaten, Brady Braaten, Lincoln Braaten and Colin Jantzen. Inurnment will be at a later date.

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Visitation

AUG 20. 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM (CST)

Mahn Family Funeral Home - Larson Chapel
1475 Jefferson Dr
Zumbrota, MN 55992