Helen Braunagel

Helen (Dosch) Braunagel, 94, received her angel wings on September 10, 2017, surrounded by loved ones. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am Friday, September 15, at Spirit of Life Catholic Church, 801 1st St SE, Mandan, ND. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm Thursday, September 14, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a vigil/rosary will begin at 7:00 pm.  Burial will be held at Mandan Union Cemetery, Mandan. Helen was born on March 13, 1923, to Sebastian and Veronica (Shoemaker) Dosch in Strasburg, ND. Helen was the oldest of the eight Dosch children: brothers, Adam, John, Jack, Edward and Tony and sisters, Rose and Sally. She grew up in Emmons County and worked on the family farm doing daily chores and helping with the cooking and caring for her younger siblings. She met our dad, Claude Braunagel, and they married June 5, 1944, in Strasburg. They raised seven children, Don, Donna, Linda, Ken, Ray, Eileen and Cindy. Helen's life was dedicated to her family. As her children grew-up, she loved to watch her family grow. We believe being a grandma and great-grandma were her favorite role. The grandkids enjoyed grandma's cooking and told her many times how yummy it was. They all got their backs scratched, hug and kisses and always told "I LOVE YOU"! She always stood at the door waving until you drove off. Helen led a simple life and enjoyed the little things. Mom's Sunday soup was made using a canning kettle it needed to be that big to feed everyone. She hosted the family gatherings and served her special meals, we all try to make some of her recipes, they are good but they never really taste just like mom/grandma's. It just wasn't a family gathering if mom didn't make her specialty dishes like soups, turkey stuffing, her caramel rolls won accolades, her potato salad was made for every family gathering, prune cakes for birthdays, & pickled water melon just to name a few. Her ability to throw a great meal together to feed an extra 2 or 20 was unforgettable. Her family gatherings and some recipe favorites have become our family tradition and will be for many generations. She was grateful for her many blessings and looked forward to every opportunity to celebrate with family and friends. She treasured time with those she loved. Helen worked in the food industry for most of her life going to work at 3am so she could make the dough for the fresh rolls and buns each day. Getting paid a mere 10 cents an hour and she retired making $5.50 per hour. She believed she was rolling in the dough. Helen is survived by her family: children, Don Braunagel (Gloria Hilsendeger), Donna Buck, Linda (John) Ohlsen, Ken Braunagel, Ray Braunagel, Eileen (Harry) Heidrich, and Cindy (Tracy) Vanous; grandchildren, Don (Becci) Braunagel, Dennis (Amy) Braunagel, Cheryl (Kerry) Schatz, Pat Buck, Melody (Alan) Wilson, Kristi (Kevin) Miller, Wendy (Jason) Iszler, Jody (Jason) Foster, Jessie (Brad) Lechner, Andrea Heidrich (Don Harris), Bonnie (Shane) Balkowitsch, Tiffany (Duane) Kroh and Heather (Colin) Engel. She loved her great -grandkids to the moon and back, Justin and Jared Schatz, Jaden Braunagel, Nick and Kyle Miller, Bryan (Ashley) Miller, Keaton (Taylar) Ohlsen, Regan Iszler and Alexis (Spencer) Hanson, Jared Foster, Baran, Jeff, Nazeli and Zane Lechner, Abby, Greyson, Alyvia and Mahliya Balkowitsch, Megan,Braxton and Izaak Kroh, Luca and Crew Engel; great-great grandchildren, Nathan, Nova and Noelyn Miller, Payton and Tatum Hanson; siblings: Rose Bosch and Sally Hamilton and Tony (LaRae) Dosch; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends too numerous to list but not forgotten. Helen is reunited with her husband Claude; parents, Veronica and Sebastion Dosch; brother, Adam, Jake, John and Edward; son-in-law, Basil Buck and daughter-in-law, Kris (Eggen) Braunagel.; grandchildren, Harris Heidrich, Kathryn Braunagel; great-grandson, Calum Balkowitsch and great-great granddaughter, Kalani (Koko) Hanson; and many special friends and extended family.