Erling Joel Karlsbraaten, 81, of Maddock, ND passed away peacefully at his home, under the care of hospice, Thursday, May 4, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, May 12, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Visitation will begin two hours prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in rural Esmond, ND at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Immanuel Church Repair Fund: 4379 46 ^th Street NE Esmond, ND 58332 or to the Hospice of the Red River Valley: 1240 West Main Street Valley City, ND 58072. Everyone is welcome to stream the service on the Nelson Funeral Home Facebook page when services are concluded.

Erling was born on the family farm near Esmond on July 3 ^rd 1941 to Edwin and Gilma (Toso) Karlsbraaten. He attended grade school in Isabel and graduated from BCATS in 1959. Before taking over the farm he tried out the larger city of Grand Forks working warehouse and potatoes before he decided the farm was the place for him. Erling took over the family farm raising sheep and chickens in the early years, milking cows but found his passion in small grains and beef cattle.

He married Sandra Hoberg on January 14, 1967 at Immanuel Lutheran Church and over the years built a family of four children Faith, Paula, Doreen and Eric. They made their life on the family farm until Eric assumed the responsibility on the home property in 2007 when Erling and Sandra moved to Maddock on the Hoberg family farm.

He was a county commissioner from 1987 to 2000, serving on several state and regional boards over his 14 years. He was a member of North Dakota Association of Counties State Board from 1991, serving as President of NDACO in 1998-99. He enjoyed serving on the local boards for the Esmond Elevator, Isabel township board, fire department, President of the Benson County Township Officers Association and church boards and enjoyed the responsibilities and comradery with the members and his friends. His most recent board he had served on was the Job Authority board helping small businesses receive grants.

There was no easing into retirement for Erling as farming was his whole life, but his friends of Lightening Construction helped him earn his easy chair.

Erling is survived by his wife Sandra of 56 years; children, Paula (Jon) Lee of Fargo, Doreen (Mike) Fischer of Shakopee MN, Eric (Val) Karlsbraaten of Esmond; son-in-law, Joe Rehling of Maddock; brother, David (Diane) Karlsbraaten of Sheyenne; grandchildren, Heather, Ashley, Tyler, Danielle, Errion, Gabrielle, Kayla, Paige, Garrith, Ethan; great grandchildren, Elida, Lilly, Zander, Maddox, Jaydee, Nova, Alayna, Mack; great, great grandchildren, Leao, Essie, Ruby, and another girl expected; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Faith; grandson, Ryan; his parents; sister, Berniece Holm; brother-in-law, Russell; sister-in-law, Sharon Krueger and Norma Hoberg; brother-in-law, David Hoberg; mother and father-in-law, Florence Wold, William Hoberg and Claudius Wold.