Gerald “Gerry” Braun, 84, Hays, died Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at his home.
He was born March 7, 1930 in Vincent, Kansas the son of Daniel J. and Helen (Dreiling) Braun. He attended Vincent Grade School and Victoria High School. He was inducted into the U.S. Marine Corps on August 1, 1951. He served 14 months in Korea, returning in July of 1953. He then served for six years in the Marine Corps Reserves and was honorably discharged in 1959.
On August 9, 1954 he married Wilma Marie Klaus in Antonino, Kansas. They would have been married 60 years this August. He was an auto mechanic at James Motor Co. for 34 years and later worked at Midwest Energy until his retirement in 1993.
He was a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church since its start, was a member of the Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #6984, the Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, was a life member of the Hays VFW Post #9076 and the Hays Marine Corps League, and was very active with the VFW Honor Guard until earlier this year when his health forced him to stop. He was a member of the IHM Building and Renovation Committee since 1995, was a Eucharistic minister, and helped set up and serve at all of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church funerals.
He enjoyed all of his volunteer work at his church, fixing things, being a mechanic and handyman, took great pride in his yard, enjoyed woodworking, traveling, and spending time with friends, family, and his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, of the home, a son, Jim Braun and wife Debbie of Hays, a daughter Joann Werth and husband LeRoy Werth, Jr. of Hays, a sister Delores McMillin and husband John of Hays, step brothers Harold and Howard Linenberger, a sister-in-law Linda Braun, seven grandchildren, Renae Unrein and husband Lance of Wichita, Jason Braun and Andrea Braun of Wichita, Ericka Hammons and huband Stephen of Nashville, TN, Ashley Kennedy, Gavin Braun, and Peyton Werth, all of Hays, eight great grandchildren, Macy Unrein, Miley Unrein, Bryce Hammons, Clay Hammons, Emma Hammons, Kaycie Kennedy, Zoey Braun, and Quin Braun.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Donald Braun, and a step brother Alfred Burdell Linenberger.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine St. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW and Marine Corps League will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 Saturday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine. A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00, a parish vigil service will be at 6:30, and a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus rosary will be at 7:00 pm, all on Friday at the funeral home. The Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 5:30 until 6:30 pm on Friday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to the Building Fund at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com