Rhonda R. Braaten, 56
“We love you so very much. Do not be afraid. He will catch you in his arms and you will ascend to the happiness and heaven that awaits you.”
Rhonda R. Braaten, 56, died in her home on Nov. 2, 2016.
She was born in Libby Jan. 26, 1960, to parents Allan and Kayty Rice. As a child she spent her summers swimming in Libby Creek and riding ponies with her siblings. She enjoyed roller skating and ice skating. She was very close to her grandpa Rice and would save her money to take him to the movies. She was normally quiet — except when practicing her clarinet. She graduated from Libby Senior High in 1978.
Rhonda married and moved to Washington. She gave birth to her daughter Deanna and returned to Montana after divorcing in 1983. Her son Corey was born in 1987. She enjoyed the outdoors with her children. They often spent half their summers camping. She liked decorating cakes, canning, gardening and dancing.
On Aug. 11, 1995, Rhonda married Ken H. Braaten. They fell in love by chance, and stayed in love by choice. Their marriage was likely the inspiration for Hallmark’s Valentine cards. Their biggest argument was who loved the other one more. There is not enough space in this paper to describe the bond these two shared or how much it meant to Rhonda’s family that she had someone so special and supportive in her life. She and her husband moved from Libby to Columbia Falls in 2004.
Rhonda’s other great love was her grandkids. She spent many hours in the swimming pool and the sandbox. She and Ken attended many softball and basketball games. There was often a child in the garden helping grandma pick weeds. They baked cookies and snuggled and she explained to them why papa yelled at the TV on football Sundays. She would smile and head for the kitchen to whip up something amazing when she knew the kids were headed her way. She was a wonderful wife and person.
Rhonda is survived by her husband Ken Braaten of Columbia Falls;
daughter Deanna Cornell and grandkids Keira, Vance, Taryn and Taylor of Libby; son Corey Griffey of Columbia Falls; stepdaughter Cassie and husband Ryan Hackett, grandkids Mosson and Piper of Everson, Washington; stepdaughter Misty Buchholz of Ferndale, Washington; parents Allan and Kayty Rice of Libby; sister Tina and husband Mark Collins of Arizona; brother Darren and wife Monica Rice of Libby; Ken’s brothers and sisters and their spouses; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A special thank you to all the staff and friends from the chemo clinic and supportive offices. Rhonda appreciated your love, friendship and support over the last six years as did her family.
Cards can be sent to 320 Dunwoody Lane, Columbia Falls, MT 59912.
Friends are encouraged to visit the website www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.