Services for Layton Raaen
Layton Raaen, age 58, of Fargo, ND, passed away April 6, 2016, at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND.
Layton Bryce Raaen was born June 1, 1957, to Vincent and Janice (Espeseth) Raaen at Fosston, MN. He attended elementary school at Winger, MN, and went to high school in Erskine, MN, where he graduated in 1975. During his high school years, he and friend, Milo Oppegaard, shared a number of unusual and hilarious escapades. Following graduation, Layton went to the AVTI in Thief River Falls, MN, to pursue a career in welding. In addition to attending school, he worked part-time at the Pioneer Village. Layton later attended the AVTI in East Grand Forks, MN, for their truck driving course and began driving semi for DL Mack and other trucking companies. On September 8, 1984, Layton married Joyce Weiby at Rodnes Lutheran Church in Erskine, MN. They made their home in Bemidji, MN, where Layton worked as a security guard at the mall and was also employed at the airport.
Layton later moved to Fargo, ND, where he was employed at Traffic Safety in the Industrial Park for a number of years. At the young age of 35, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and was unable to continue working. He spent many enjoyable times during the summer with Neil and Bob Bursheim and families at the race track in Sabin, MN, where Layton raced his custom built 1967 Mercury Cougar. He also enjoyed the awesomeness of nature, weightlifting, target practice with his cousin, Craig, fishing, Nascar and snowmobiling. Layton also provided transportation for some of his friends while living in Fargo. He was a kind and gentle soul and told his dad a number of years ago that he would be content to leave this world behind and enter the heavenly realm where his Parkinson’s would no longer be an enduring factor in his life.
Layton is survived by his parents, Vince and Jan Erskine; Uncle Delmar (Corneil) Espeseth also of Erskine, MN; Uncle Donald (Irene) Espeseth of Yuba City, CA; Aunt Ardyth Rasmussen of Salem, OR; and 14 cousins.
A graveside service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements entrusted to Anderson Family Funeral Home of Mahnomen.
Online guestbook at www.andersonfamilyfh.com