Richard Anton Braaten, 86

Richard Anton Braaten, 86, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2005, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Private family services will be held with urn burial at Mt. View Cemetery in Auburn, Wash., at a later date.

Richard was born on Sept. 16, 1918, in Bellingham, Wash., the son of Andrew and Betty (Hansen) Braaten. He attended schools in Seattle, Wash., attending Auburn Academy and then Walla Walla College for business.

Richard married Verle Altman on Jan. 1, 1942, in Centralia, Wash.

He moved to California for a short time, returning to Washington state, where he worked for the Port of Seattle and later the State Auditor's office as a state examiner. He worked for the city of Everett as comptroller, retiring in 1983.

Richard moved from Auburn to Sandpoint in December 2000 to be closer to his daughter, Rhonda. He was a member of the Auburn Seventh-day Adventist Church. He enjoyed fishing, golf and traveling in his motor home south to the fountain of youth in California.

He is survived by two daughters, Rhonda (Bob) Backman of Sandpoint and Carol Cooper of Sacramento, Calif.; a son, Stanley (Barbara) Braaten of Las Vegas, Nev.; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Vernon Braaten of Carmichael, Calif; and best friends, Art and Jesse Dwyer of College Place, Wash.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Verle, in 1994.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.