Michael James Braun

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Friday, June 25, 1943
Date of Death:
Monday, September 11, 2017
Age:
74 years old

Visitation

Date: Thursday September 21, 2017
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Location: Autumn Ridge Church [ view map ]

Memorial Service

Date: Thursday September 21, 2017
Time: 11:00 am

Location: Autumn Ridge Church [ view map ]

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Friday, June 25, 1943
Date of Death:
Monday, September 11, 2017
Age:
74 years old
Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Friday, June 25, 1943
Date of Death:
Monday, September 11, 2017
Age:
74 years old

Michael James Braun

Michael James Braun, a retired Rochester firefighter, died on Patriot’s Day, September 11, 2017, of complications of diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease at age 74. Michael was born June 25, 1943 in Rochester, MN to Aloyzious and Pearl Braun, both deceased. He attended St. Francis and John Marshall High School and graduated in 1961. He served in the Navy for three years from 1961-1964, fought in Vietnam, and was proud of his service to his country.

He married Kay Kamm, his first wife, in 1965 and they had two children, James (Sandra) Braun of Hanover, MN and Jason Braun of Rochester. They divorced after 16 years of marriage. Michael has three grandchildren, Jerica, Janessa and Jacob Braun.

Michael had various jobs in the Rochester area including painting, electrical and property management before becoming a firefighter for 25 years. He retired in 1992.

In 1991, Michael married Eleanor Fryar Braun. He has two step-children, Heather (Lyle) Spring and Richard (Danith) Fryar. Michael has four step-grandchildren, Christopher and Stephanie Spring and Brandon and Aiden Fryar.

He has five sisters and one brother, Sharon Cook, Ginny (Dave) Bigelow, Kathy Schoppers, Carol Braun, Rick (Becky) Braun, and Annie Gunderson.

Michael loved pheasant hunting for 45 years and he also raised and released hundreds of pheasants. He was a lifetime member of Pheasants Forever. He loved taking care of trees, plants, flowers, and animals of all sorts. He owned various dogs in his lifetime and had a goal in life to be as good a person as his dogs thought he was!

He also loved fishing and taking care of land, consequently after he retired, he and Ellie bought and managed Braun’s Park and Lakes, LLC, the beautiful acreage around Lake George in southwest Rochester. They sold that property to Don (Dee) Pickett when Mike became too ill to work it anymore.

Michael had a strong, entertaining personality and loved talking to people, and helping them when he could. He always had wonderful stories to entertain his friends for hours on end. He was an avid card player and rarely could be beaten! Even after Alzheimer’s robbed him of many abilities, he still was able to play various games.

Mike’s wishes were to be cremated. The memorial service will be at Autumn Ridge Church, 3611 Salem Road SW, at 11:00AM on Thursday, September 21, 2017 with Pastor Karen Foster officiating. Visitation will be on hour prior to the service.

Michael Braun was a very great sinner who had a very great savior, Jesus Christ. When you hear he is dead, don’t believe it! He is now in heaven, more alive and pain free than he ever was on earth! God granted him a long and eventful life and he looks for an exciting eternity also, thanks be to Jesus Christ, his savior!

Condolences

The family of Michael James Braun has received the following condolences.

Dear Ellie and the rest of your family:  Our sympathy to you and all the family on Mike's death.  We recall when we lived next door that Mike helped us  multiple times in various ways.  Would like to add these words from the Poet John Greenleaf Whittier: 


"God calls our loved ones


But we lose not wholly


What He has given;


They live on earth, in thought and deed, as well


As in His heaven."


Rich and Marian Van Dellen


 


 

On behalf of the JM class of 1961, we extend our sympathy on the death of our classmate Mike Braun.

Our deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers to the Braun family. Nicholas and Marianne Braun and daughter Dianne Braun Mueller.