Larry Allen Braaten of Umatilla passed away in Hermiston on Sept. 10, 2026 at the age of 82.
He was born on Aug. 26, 1944 in Mayville, N.D. to Glenn and Alice Osland Braaten.
Larry spent his early years in North Dakota until age 15, when his family moved to Grand Junction, Colo. While living there, he met and married Susan Clark. From this union came two children, Renee and Tony. The couple later divorced.
In November 1967, Larry married Janet Harryman in Portland. Together they built a life across many places including Vancouver, Wash., Moses Lake, Wash., Palmer, Alaska, Portland, Utah and Missouri before settling in Umatilla in 2000. Their moves reflected Larry’s love of traveling and his long career on the road.
Larry drove truck for more than 50 years, owning his own semis and spending countless miles exploring the United States. He and Janet drove together for several years, sharing the road and the adventure. He retired from Walmart after a long and dedicated driving career. Larry also passed on his knowledge to others, teaching his son Tony to drive truck, a skill Tony continues to use today, as well as teaching his brother-in-law, son-in-law, and Janet.
Larry loved his family deeply and held a strong faith in God. He enjoyed talking with friends and family, sharing stories about growing up on the farm in North Dakota and the many things he witnessed during his decades on the road. His stories were a source of inspiration and motivation to those who knew him. He also enjoyed buying and selling cars throughout his life.
Larry is survived by his sons, Tony Braaten, Don Fouts, and Dan Fouts; daughters, Denise Key and Tammy Wyckoff; 17 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; sisters, Gloria and Cheryl; brothers, Gale and Brad; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Janet on Jan. 9, 2020; daughters, Laura Johnson and Renee Stephenson; his brother, Dennis Braaten; and his parents, Glenn and Alice Braaten.
A graveside service will be held on Sept. 25, 2026 at the Hermiston Cemetery.
