Lucille Braun

After a joyful and adventurous life, Lucille passed away on April 18, 2023.

Lucille’s memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, on Friday, May 5, at First Lutheran Church, 800 N 7^th St., Bismarck. Pastor Allen Wagner will be officiating. 

Lucille Braun was born into the loving family of Frank and Ada Kraft, along with her older brother and sister, Rueban and Elsie, on Oct. 11, 1924. She shared the same birth date as her sister only 10 years apart. Lucille’s father was a blacksmith and her mother a midwife. Lucille graduated from Page, ND High School as Valedictorian of her class in May of 1942. A part of her speech revealed her love for this country and the world: “The distinguished mark of American patriotism is freedom. The spirit of Americanism is that of a true democracy. The world at present seems rather black and meaningless when we think that into this war torn world we must set out to make our mark in life. Our aim must, therefore, be to try to make a nobler nation, to elevate the thoughts and lives of the people and to make an America where community lives and individual lives may be safe from tyrannical rule.”

After graduating from Moorhead State and teaching in Ashley and Washburn, ND, she met Walter Braun, and they lived their lives together trying to fulfill those beliefs in this country and in the lives of other people. One of their greatest achievements was the W L and Lucille Braun Charitable Gift Fund which helped to make the lives of the people in this country and the world a little better. They also established perpetual scholarships to further education at the University of Mary and Bismarck State College for those in need. Lucille continued to live in Bismarck after Walt’s passing until 2021 when she moved to Bozeman at the age of 97 to be close to her daughter, Renee.

Mother was actively engaged in the news and politics of this country on a daily basis. During her younger years, Lucille worked side by side with Walt in their business. Mother was “the consummate” housewife. She made every holiday extraordinary for her family with meals and decorations galore. She was an incredible cook and many people shared wonderful meals around the table in their home. Lucille and Walt shared countless journeys around the world and had friends where ever they traveled. Few people knew Mother rode a camel in Egypt and an elephant in India.

Lucille leaves behind her oldest daughter, Renee, and loved son-in-law, John;  two granddaughters, Sasha Morvay and her husband, Brent, and Rachel Silva; four great-grandchildren, Ethan, Brooklyn, Madeline and Aubrey, who she adored and who adored her.

The world is a far better place for her presence and we are grateful that God chose to share her with us. Death takes the body. God takes the soul. Our minds hold the memories. Our hearts keep the love, and our faith lets us know we will meet again. 

Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled.