Troy Vedbraaten

Troy Vedbraaten, age 41, of Grand Forks, ND, passed away on Friday, March 22^nd, at his home in Grand Forks. Following Troy’s wishes, there will not be a funeral. A private family gathering will be held with burial following at Kingo Lutheran Cemetery in Fosston. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com. 

Troy was born December 28^th, 1982, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota to parents Thomas and Sheryl (Hemmingsen) Vedbraaten. Troy lived in Fosston, Minnesota the first year of his life and then moved with his parents and grew up in Crookston, Minnesota. He attended and was baptized at the Church of Christ in Crookston. He was a Crookston High School graduate with the class of 2001. Troy was involved in several activities in high school including speech, weight lifting, and orchestra. He was a talented violinist, and together with his sister, Shelby, performed at a number of events during their school years. He later attended the University of Minnesota Crookston. He had various jobs throughout his life which included working for the USPS in Thief River Falls and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Crookston Building Center and recently as Director of Maintenance and Transportation for the regional Hugo’s stores. He also was co-owner The Vintage Emporium in Crookston.

Troy entered into marriage with Stacey Krogfoss May 6, 2017 in Grand Forks. To this union, they had a daughter, Addisynn. Addisynn was Troy’s joy and treasure, and to quote his words exactly, “out of all the things I’ve done in my life, Addisynn was the best.” Troy loved his family and blessed them starting as a little boy with his cheerful ways, big smile, and big hugs. He loved being around other people, and there wasn’t anything he wasn’t willing to help someone with. Everyone likely has a “Troy Story” and will remember him as warm, funny, caring, and kind. He loved to tell jokes and make you laugh, sing (especially Karaoke), liked to cook and smoked all kinds of meals for his family, and could build or fix anything. He loved being outdoors – one of his favorite times was being around a campfire or camping at Maple Lake. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and just getting together and visiting with family and friends. 

He is survived by his wife, Stacey Vedbraaten, daughter Addisynn Vedbraaten, stepchildren, Taylor and Haleigh Krogfoss, grandchildren, Zinnia and Leila, parents Thomas and Sheryl Vedbraaten, sister Shelby (Chris) Peterson with nephews Cameron and Carson Peterson. Mother-in-law Sandy Erickson, sisters-in-law Leslie (John) Maier, Missy (Joe) Breidenbach, Jenny Reed, and Gail Erickson. Aunts and Uncles Dennis and Janyce Hemmingsen, Ardella and Gerald McGee, Roger and Bonnie Hemmingsen, half uncle Del Jr. Hemmingsen, Daniel and Fay Vedbraaten, Barb and Steve Leake, Deb Vedbraaten, Janice and Brett Stein, Lolly and Will Klaus, great aunts Arlene Schmidt, Karen Vraa, Ardis Tunberg, and Marlene Barnett, along with many cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Edith Vedbraaten, Edward Vedbraaten, Irma Hemmingsen, Delmont Hemmingsen, Aunt and Uncle Allen and Linda Hemmingsen, Uncle Tony Vedbraaten, cousin Paul Hemmingsen, and infant cousins baby boy and baby girl Hemmingsen.

 One of Troy’s favorite hymns that he always loved to sing: AS THE DEER PANTETH

 As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee. You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship Thee. You alone are my strength, my shield, to you alone may my spirit yield. You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship Thee. You’re my friend, and You are my brother, even though you are a King. I love You more than any other, so much more than anything.

God bless the memory of Troy Arlo Vedbraaten.