A Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thurs., Dec. 28, at St. Marcus Catholic Church, Clear Lake for Donald Jacob Braun, age 92 of Clear Lake. He died at his home on Dec. 18. The Rev. Virgil Helmin will be the celebrant. Inurnment will be at a later date. Visitation will be after 9:30 A.M. until the funeral starts on Thursday.
Donald was born Dec. 23, 1924, in Menomonie, WI, the son of Arthur and Bertha (Waletzke) Braun. As a young boy he moved with his family to Owatonna, MN where he attended school and graduated from St. Joseph's High School in 1943. He then enlisted in the United States Army Air Force during World War II. He served as Staff Sargent as a Gunnery Instructor and flew in 35 missions over Germany, receiving 3 Bronze Stars and the Good Conduct Air Medal. He was honorably discharged on October 17, 1945.
Sept. 28, 1948 he was united in marriage to Ramona E. Juenemann at St. Marcus Catholic Church in Clear Lake. Two children were born to this union. Don then worked at the Minnesota Corrections Facility at St. Cloud, as a Correction Officer and eventually was ranked as a Lieutenant, before retiring 1979. He then stayed busy with his memberships in Knights of Columbus Council #3603 of Foley and later Knight of Columbus Council #14733 of Clear Lake, V.F.W. Post #4847 of St. Cloud, American Legion Post #354 of Clear Lake, and was also a long time member of St. Marcus Catholic Church in Clear Lake.
Donald gifted his body to the University of Minnesota Deeded body program in which it will be used to help people studying to be medical professionals!
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Brad, and one brother Lloyd.
He is survived by, his wife of 69 years Ramona of Clear Lake, one daughter Wanda (Bernie) Selix of Elk River, five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the American Heart Association or Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life.
