Selmer Sam Bratteli, 89, died Sunday at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Thursday, December 19, 2002 at Zion Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, with Reverend Dennis Raymond officiating. Burial will be in the Valle Cemetery, rural Grygla, Minnesota.

Visitation will be from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM Wednesday, December 18, 2002 with a 4:30 PM prayer service at Johnson-Green Funeral Home in Thief River Falls. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to services Thursday at the church.

Sam Bratteli was born May 15, 1913 in Grygla, MN the son of Ole and Helga (Berg) Bratteli. He was baptized and confirmed at Valle Lutheran Church.

Sam was united in marriage to Ruby Mattison on January 16, 1943 in Grygla, MN. The couple made their home on the family farm in Beltrami County, MN where they farmed until 1975 when they moved to Thief River Falls.

Sam enjoyed traveling, gardening and outdoor sports. He was a Beltrami County Commissioner for 13 years from 1957 " 1970 and was an active member of Valle Lutheran Church near Grygla, Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla, and Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. Sam was also active in several community groups.

Survived by children, Diane Bratteli, Fairport, NY, Bonnie (Walt) Johnson, Andover, MN and Wayne (Linda) Bratteli, Fridley, MN; grandchildren, Matthew and Geoffrey Carlson, Sonya (Jim) Swartzentruber, Nathan Johnson and Christopher Bratteli; sisters, Thelma Spokely of Climax, MN, Julia Paulsrud of Shelly, MN, and Tillie Larson of Seattle, WA; sisters-in-law, Gena Bratteli of Grand Forks, ND and LeeAnn Bratteli of Longview, TX.

Sam is preceded in death by his wife, Ruby; parents; brothers, John and Hal; sisters, Margaret Nubgaard and Betsy Parker.