Arvella June Braaten, 85, of Kenyon, died Saturday, May 19, 2012 at Kenyon Sunset Home. She was born June 20, 1926 in Cherry Grove Township, Minnesota the daughter of Lars and Mabel (Lilleskov) Larson. She graduated from Kenyon High School in 1943. She then worked at Red Owl in Kenyon. She married Joseph Braaten in June of 1948 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenyon. They farmed the Braaten family farm, which was recognized at the State Fair as a sesquicentennial farm. Joseph died December of 1972. Arvella went to work as a cook in the Kenyon School District for twelve years. She then cooked at Kenyon Sunset Home and in the summer at Kenyon Country Club. Arvella was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church. She was also a member of the Sons of Norway and VFW Auxiliary. She loved cooking and wrote two cookbooks; one included family recipes and the other titled 'Cooking for a Crowd.' She also enjoyed ceramics, crocheting, quilting and was an avid Minnesota Vikings Fan. She is survived by her two sons, Terry Braaten of Hastings, and James (and Roberta) Braaten of Nerstrand; four grandchildren, Neil Braaten of Hastings, Krista Braaten of Denver, CO, and Lucas Votruba and Elsie Braaten both of Nerstrand; one great granddaughter, Sophia Braaten; sister-in-law, Lucille Larson of Fort Dodge, IA. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Joseph, and brother, Leward Larson. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home, Kenyon on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and at First Evangelical Lutheran Church on Thursday from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM . Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 11:30 AM at First Evangelical Lutheran Church with The Reverend Nancy Edwardson officiating. Interment will be in the Kenyon Cemetery in Kenyon. Memorials are preferred to First Evangelical Lutheran Church. Visitation: 05/23/2012 17:00 05/23/2012 19:00 Service: and one hour prior to the service at the church 05/24/2012 11:30