Marcella E. Braun, 96
Marcella E. Braun
Grafton, Iowa Marcella Edna Braun, age 96, was called to her heavenly home, Feb. 24, 2018.
She was born Nov. 1, 1921 on a farm in Union Township, Worth County, Iowa. She was the daughter of Herman and Laura (Wahl) Schmidt. Marcella was baptized on Dec. 11, 1921 and confirmed April 5, 1936 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton, Iowa by Rev. Carl Landdeck.
She attended and received her education in the Grafton school system and graduated from Grafton High School in 1940.
Marcella was united in marriage to Armond W. Braun on Oct. 6, 1940 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton, Iowa by Rev. Herman Lechner. They farmed northwest of Grafton until moving to St. Ansgar in 1967.
Marcella was employed as a telephone operator for the Grafton Rural Telephone Company, the Northwood Bakery, and Carroll George Inc. in Northwood until her retirement.
Marcella enjoyed making tiered angel food wedding and anniversary cakes from scratch for friends and relatives. She loved gardening and flowers, especially her tulips in the spring, which she shared generously with others. Many aunts and uncles and friends enjoyed her generosity with gifts of Christmas ducks and corn casseroles.
Marcella was a life-long member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton. She was active in Luther League, choir, teaching Sunday School, and a member of the prayer chain among other church activities.
Marcella is survived by children, Mavis (Charles) Ashland, of Clear Lake, Iowa, James (Barbara) Braun, of Forest City, Iowa, Diane (Lynn) Luepke, of St. Ansgar, Iowa and Joan (Loren) Bidne, of Kiester; grandchildren Jared (Nancy) Ashland, of Appleton, Wisconsin, Sarah (Tom Barber) Ashland Steiner, of Rapid City, South Dakota, Tamara (Randy) Barnard, of New Virginia, Iowa, Stacy (Liz) Braun, of Omaha, Nebraska, Michelle (Mark) English, of West Des Moines, Iowa, Alissa (Brent) Pier, of Minneapolis, Valeri Luepke, of Minneapolis, Latham (Tychanza) Luepke, of Minneapolis, Janelle Bidne (fianc Kevin Van Sloun) of White Bear Lake, Rev. Jeanette Bidne (Rev. Dan Foster), of Vernon Center; great-grandchildren Chelsea (Ross) Johnson, of Madison, Wisconsin, Carrie Ashland, of St. Paul, Cole Smith, of Rapid City, South Dakota, Andrew, Adam and Nicole Barnard, of New Virginia, Iowa, Hannah, Nathan and PJ Braun, of Omaha, Nebraska, Matthew, Jacob and Joshua English, of West Des Moines, Iowa, Maeryn and Lucian Pier, of Minneapolis; sisters, Rosalyn Allen, of Marshalltown, Iowa and Marilyn Murra, of Lake Mills, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by husband, Armond in 1996; father and mother; sisters, Luella Schmidt and LuEtta Walk; granddaughter, Jennifer Bidne; great-granddaughter, Rachel Bernard; and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, 641-713-4920,
Funeral service was on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton, Iowa. Burial was in the Grafton Cemetery.