Allan D. Braaten, 58

Allan D. Braaten, 58, passed away after a very courageous battle with cancer, on Oct. 19, 2010. He was born in Rhame, N.D., on Sept. 19, 1952, to Kenneth and Eunice Braaten. He was raised on the family farm in Rhame and graduated from Rhame High School in 1970.

Allan started a family at age 21 and following his heart and the natural skills inherited from his father, he became a professional "tinkerer." He could fix anything from cars to skinned knees. If he wasn't tinkering he was either on his Harley Davidson, at a classic car show with the "Fat Rat," or fishing on a lake plotting his next motorcycle adventure. He was a man of few words but with a heart of gold and ears that could listen to you forever. He was kind, compassionate and always strove to retain an open mind (except in the realm of politics - Love ya and like ya DAD! :))

Those mourning his loss include mother Eunice Braaten; father Kenneth Braaten; brother and sister-in-law Terry and Leslie Braaten; brother and sister-in-law Gerald and Gail Braaten; sister and brother-in-law Penny and Mike Douglass; daughter and son-in-law Carly and Michael Gerrard; daughter Heather Braaten; son Dustin Braaten.

Allan was a grandpa, an uncle and a mentor to his grandchildren Andrew Hansey and Aria Braaten and to his numerous nieces and nephews especially Klint and Zane Douglass who gave Allan a new adventure in life with paint balling.

Friends and family will continue his legacy by living their lives to the fullest in his honor.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be sent to Kootenai County Cancer Center so they can further their research and support for those afflicted with esophageal cancer.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25, 2010, at Yates Funeral Home, 744 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene.

Please visit Allan's memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.