Calvin Gene Ten Braak

Calvin Gene Ten Braak passed away September 11, 2026 at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona after a sudden decline from lymphoma.

Calvin was born in Sheldon, Iowa on December 23, 1957 and grew up in Hull, Iowa. He was known as “Kelly” in his younger years and was always a worker. At a young age, he worked for his uncle Al’s meat market and his dad’s auto repair shop alongside his cousins. He also set pins at his aunt and uncle’s bowling alley on the weekends. He lost his father at age 14.

After high school, he worked at SiouxPreme packing plant. He married Donna Rae Huenink November 4, 1977 at the age of 19. He knew he wanted more in life, so he went to drafting school at NCC and worked at Demco. They had their first child, Holly, in 1979. He sought a life with more opportunity for his young bride and future family and set out for Gillette, Wyoming after his uncle told him there were opportunities in Gillette.

Cal and Donna moved to Gillette, Wyoming on nothing but love in 1981. He had his first job with Tanks Incorporated, then A1 Roustabout and Black Hawk Crane. They had their second daughter, Heather, in 1982. He took a crane job in Denver, Colorado in 1986 hoping that one day he could get a job back at Coal Mines in Gillette. While in Denver, they had their son, Andrew, in 1986.

A church friend connected him to his first coal mine job at Buckskin Mine in 1987 and they moved back to Gillette. Cal worked for Triton coal, was part of starting the North Rochelle Mine, eventually moving on to work for Black Thunder and Dry Fork spending nearly 25 years in the coal mine industry. With his passion for crane operation, he started the crane division for Hettinger Welding in 2009 which later dissolved. In 2011, he started his own crane company, T and T Cranes which he grew from just one crane to eleven. His very first job with his new company was setting the steeple on a church in Laramie, WY. His son, Andrew, joined the family business in 2018 which allowed Cal to enjoy a semi-retired life.

Cal took pride in his family, his kids and especially his 9 grandkids and all their accomplishments. He was a friend to all he met and would be quick to spark a conversation with a stranger anywhere.

He loved hunting and fishing which took him many places and fostered many relationships. His passion for the wilderness took him to the Bighorn Mountains and elk hunts to Shell Canyon in his younger years. In the most recent years, he was fulfilled by sharing his hunting cabin with family, old friends, news friends and acquaintances that became friends by the end of the hunt. He took great pride in his involvement with Hunting with Heroes.

Cal loved time spent on the lake whether it be fishing at Keyhole or holding the yearly family lake vacation at Lake Okoboji, Iowa where generations of family and friends from all life phases would play and connect. Nine years ago, he purchased a second home in Mesa, Arizona with the same idea in mind; to share it with family and friends.

He loved oldies music that never got old to him. He had his line-up of songs ready for a good karaoke night and his legs ready for a good wedding dance. He was always up for a good laugh and surrounded himself with friends that were up for a good time throughout all his years.

He had a heart for the underdog, the hitchhiker, and the less fortunate as he could relate to humble beginnings. He was the first person to lend out his car, his house, a job or whatever someone needed to give a second chance, a leg up or a burden lightened.

If you knew Cal, you knew he was always one to “push the limits.” He took pride in his, “no quit” determined work ethic which he showed even in his last week of life. He and his wife Donna built a life from humble beginnings but even after “they made it” he was still known for his frugalness.

Most importantly, he was not afraid to talk about his faith, share that Jesus is his savior and remind us that God numbers our days until he calls us home. In his last days, he stated how thankful he was for his life of 68 years, his family and friends and the opportunity to start from nothing and build an incredible life. In a very special moment filled with peace, he told us (his wife and kids) that he loved us all very much and said “I am ready for heaven.”

Cal is survived by his wife of 48 years Donna Ten Braak of Rozet, WY; mother, Carole Ann Ten Braak of Hull, IA; daughter, Holly (Bob) Isenberger of Wright, WY (and grandkids Tyzer, Tadlee, Tryce, Tripp); daughter, Heather (Dustin) Martinson of Gillette, WY (and grandkids Bella, Evan, Owen); son, Andrew (Chelse) Ten Braak of Rozet, Wyoming (and grandkids Kimber, and Kynlee); sister Wandy (Darrel) DeJong of Sheldon, IA; Sister, Laura Sue DeJong of Hawarden, IA; Brother, Andy (Sue) Ten Braak of Loveland, CO; and brother, Dick Ten Braak of Des Moines, IA.

He is preceded in death by his father Richard Ten Braak, sister Sondra Francis, Grandmother Jean Brunsting, Grandfather Cornelius Brunsting, Father in-law Marvin Huenink and Mother in-law Nellie Huenink.

He will be deeply missed and forever loved into eternity where we will meet again.

Cremation has taken place, and a Memorial Service honoring Calvin’s life will be held Monday, September 28, 2026, at 2 pm at Family Life Church in Gillette, Wyoming, with Pastor Mark Largent presiding. A time for fellowship will immediately follow the service at Family Life Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Hunting with Heroes Wyoming or to Faith Community Church in honor of Calvin.