Walter C. Labraaten

Walter Clarence Labraaten, of Fergus Falls, passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2015, at PioneerCare, Fergus Falls, under the care of Lakeland Hospice.

He was born December 26, 1927, in Madison, MN the son of Ole and Marie (Sorby) Labraaten. Walt grew up with seven brothers and sisters and attended school in Madison. After high school, he joined the Navy and became a baker, serving from 1946-1948. He was awarded the WWII Victory Medal for his service. He was discharged in 1948 and returned to Canby, MN, working in the bakery there. From 1950-1958 he served in the Navy Reserve.

He met Helen May Goehtz and they were married on January 2, 1949. In 1950, he became the father of twin girls, Wendy and Nancy. In 1952, they moved to Fergus Falls and Walt started work with Otter Tail Power Company at the Hoot Lake Plant. In 1954, Mary was born and in 1956, Susan came along. Walt took night classes at North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, making it possible for him to work himself up from the coal yard to eventually becoming the Plant Superintendent at Hoot Lake Power Plant. In 1974, he was awarded the IEEE Nicola Tesla Award. This award is given to individuals that have made outstanding contributions to the generation of utilization of electric power and is considered the most prestigious award in the area of electric power.

Walt and Helen moved to Wyoming where he was the Superintendent of Maintenance at a new power plant. After three years, he returned to Fergus Falls for a brief time. They then moved to Grand Rapids, MN, where he was the Plant Manager of the power plant for Blandin Paper Company. He retired in 1990 and became a woodworker in his own shop. They enjoyed many winters in Arizona in their retirement.

In 2004, Helen May died. Walt later married Adele Hestdalen. Due to failing health, Walt moved into PioneerCare in March of 2015.

He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. He enjoyed fishing and golfing in his younger years, playing pool as he grew older and his greatest hobby was woodworking. Throughout the years he had made many pieces of furniture for his family.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife Helen May; a grandson, Eric Anderson and six siblings, Udvar, Trygve, Sigrud, Olga, Arnold and Alf.

Survivors include his wife, Adele; four daughters, Wendy (Bruce) Anderson of Fergus Falls, Nancy (Mike) Lickiss of Detroit Lakes, Mary (Del) Glanzer of Alexandria and Susan (Tim) Schonhardt of Fergus Falls; nine grandchildren, Christopher (Cheryl) Anderson, Cory (Melissa) Lickiss, Amy (Bronson) Vinge, Elizabeth, Benet, and Gabe Glanzer, and Charlie (Andrea), Ryan (Amanda) and Kayla Schonhardt; seven great-grandchildren, Caleb and Eli Anderson, Ashley and Garrett Lickiss and Kyra, Katie, and Jack Anderson and a sister, Goodrun Arneson of Madison, MN.

Visitation: 12-2 p.m. Saturday, June 27, 2015 at Hope Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls
Service: 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 27, 2015 at Hope Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Nancy Jewell and Chaplain Harry Olson
Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls
Arrangements by Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls