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LaVerne G. Braaflat • 1935- 2006 Verne, as he preferred to be called, was born November 25, 1935 in Plaza, ND, the son of Oscar and Dorothy (Benson) Braaflat. He was raised on the family farm near Plaza. At the age of 14 he started working for various farmers in the area. He graduated from Plaza High School in 1953. During his high school years he also worked at the Farmers Union Gas Station. Following graduation he worked for Earl Myhre Gravel Company of Plaza, ND, where he operated a gravel conveyer. He married Betty Spletstoser in 1953. They resided in Plaza for a short time and then moved to Minot where they lived for more than 20 years. They were divorced in 1978. Verne worked for many employers in the Minot area, Gene's Standard, M&H Gas, Simonson Gas, Minot Cab Company and others. During the construction of the Minot Air Force Base he was employed there as a heavy equipment operator. He continued in that capacity until the completion of that phase. He worked for Granite Springs Water and Ice where he first delivered water to various places around the area, and later managed this plant for many years. He became self employed in the refrigeration and air conditioning business, a trade he taught himself. He later worked for Nolan's Surge. He married Dianne Gleason in 1978 and they moved to Havre, MT. He resided in Havre for a couple of years working in his trade of air conditioning and refrigeration, and also learned how to install heat pumps while there. He moved to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin around 1981. It was then he was divorced from his second wife Dianne. He continued to live in Wisconsin for about 20 years where he worked for Air Care and Surefire Refrigeration companies. It was in Wisconsin where he met and married Carrie DesJarlais. They later divorced. Verne enjoyed riding horse back, camping, fishing, hunting and listening to country music, especially George Jones, one of his favorite artists. As a kid he enjoyed riding horse back with his friend, Alan Johnson. They would shoot weird birds, cook them over an open fire and dine while on the trail. Verne was a member of Jehovah Witnesses. Survivors: Children, Roxy Derber, Kalispell, MT, Larinda Longie, Portal, ND, and Andy Braaflat, Beaver Dam, Wisc.; eight grandchildren; one great-grandson; sisters, Vonnie (Robert) Lovdahl, Minot; and Diane (Larry) Hudson, Minot; brother, DuWayne (Doris) Braaflat, Plaza, ND. Verne was preceded in death by sons, Randy and Eric, and his parents, Oscar and Dorothy Braaflat. At Verne's request there will be no service and cremation has taken place. Bless the memory of Verne Braaflat To sign the online guest register
for Verne |