Obit: Braun, James W. (1923 - 2011)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Brady, Braun, Fitzell, Hiebl, Lenhard

----Source: The Record - Review (Abbotsford, WI) 1/23/2011

Braun, James W. (10 NOV 1923 - 19 JAN 2011)

James W. Braun, of Wausau, Wisconsin and long-time resident of Athens, passed away peacefully at home with family on Wednesday, January 19, 2011.

The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:30 am Saturday, January 22, 2011 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens, Wisconsin. The Rev. Charles Hiebl will preside. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Athens. Friends may call Saturday from 10am until the time of services all at the church.

Born at home on November 10, 1923, Jim was the eldest child of the late Albert and Florence (Brady) Braun. He was a 1941 graduate of the Athens High School and a 1948 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, his university studies being interrupted while serving as a U. S. Navy commissioned officer in the Pacific from 1945-46.

Upon graduation, Jim joined his father in the retail lumber business at Braun Bros. & Co. in Athens, retiring as President and majority stockholder in 1985. Jim met Marian Lenhard at Braun Bros. and they were married November 7, 1953 in Bloomington, Wis., by Jim's uncle, Msgr. William M. Braun. During his tenure at Braun Bros., Jim served as a Director of the National Retail Lumber Dealers' Assoc., the Reserve Supply Co., and the Wisconsin Retail Lumber Dealers' Association, being elected President from 1985-1987.

Jim strongly believed in the vitality of Athens and was proud to be appointed a Director of the Bank of Athens from 1972 to 1995. Upon his retirement from Braun Bros. in 1985, he became a Business Development Manager for Bank of Athens/Firstar until 1995.

Jim was dedicated to various civic and non-profit organizations, most notably the Athens Area Development Corporation, holding positions of Director and President; Athens Fair Association having been both a director and Parade Chairman from 1950 -1986; St. Anthony Parish; United Cerebral Palsy; Athens Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Post #4, Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts.

Jim was always proud of his Irish heritage and maintained a close connection with his Notre Dame classmates, particularly those in the Naval ROTC program. He enjoyed any opportunity to cheer for the "Fighting Irish" and also the Green Bay Packers, for whom he was a season ticket holder from 1958 to 2000. Jim relished social time spent with family and friends. He enjoyed skiing, bowling, bridge and golfing, especially a hole-in-one on #13 at the Isle Dauphine Golf Club, Alabama and the camaraderie and challenge of playing at Wausau Country Club.

In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by his two daughters Pamela (Stephen Fitzell) and Patricia, four grandchildren: Kathleen, Patrick, Margaret and Conor and his siblings: Mark, Chicago; Robert (Gwen), Manitowoc; Sister Jeanne Marie, Merrill; and Hugh (Joan), Milwaukee.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Holy Cross Sisters, 1400 O'Day Street, Merrill, Wisconsin 54452, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or the charity of one's choice.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 6th Street, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.