Laura Braun
Laura “Lulabell” Anne Braun (49) from Athens, unexpectedly passed away on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, from complications of noncovid related pneumonia at Marshfield Medical Center, Marshfield.
Laura was born on Jan. 18, 1972, at Medford Hospital in Taylor County, and grew up in Athens, graduating from Athens High School in 1990. Laura was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at eight years of age. She endured a lifelong battle of aches and pains which slowed her down, but she never gave up.
Laura’s life always included children. After graduation, she operated an in-home daycare before establishing the first childcare center in Athens; Learning Tree Childcare. After working there for ten years, she worked at Hartmann’s Deli for four years. In 2010, Laura moved to Prescott, to care for her nieces and other neighborhood children. When her youngest niece started school, Laura followed by becoming a special education paraprofessional for the Prescott School District for three years. Laura moved back to Athens in 2015.
Above all, Laura had a deep love for spending time with family and friends. On any given day, Laura could persuade you into one of the many activities she enjoyed such as card games, board games, bingo, shaking dice, pull tabs, wine making, canning, pickling, decorating for the seasons, playing poker and taking a chance in a raffle. The more people the better. She loved listening to classic country and even singing along once in a while.
Laura’s charismatic personality gave everyone the opportunity to become her friend. She shared her engaging smile and gift of gab to the many patrons of the various places she bartended. Laura’s heart was at its fullest when she was around the campfire at Braun’s Haven or being the director of hospitality at the No-Tell Motel during Athens Fair.
Her greatest joy was becoming an aunt to her nieces Kennedy and Avery Braun. She was a tremendous part of their lives and spent all her time caring, teaching and passing on family traditions. She loved to watch “shows”, surprise them with special treats and gifts and take them on outings. Laura is survived by her parents, Thomas and Beverly (Westfall) Braun of Athens; brother and sister-in-law, Daniel and Renee (Hanke) Braun; nieces (goddaughters): Kennedy and Avery Braun of Prescott; godparents/aunt and uncle, Patricia (Westfall) and Ambrose Rausch of Athens; godchildren: Trevor Felzkowski and Mylee Haehkle; a great-uncle; a great-aunt; aunts, uncles, many cousins and friends. Laura was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Marvin and Ruth (Laufer) Westfall; step grandmother, Betty (Pucek) Westfall; paternal grandparents, Wilfred and Edna (Wendt) Braun; aunts, uncles, cousins and great-aunts and uncles.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday Dec. 11, 2021, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. Rev. George Graham will preside. Visitation will be on Friday from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens, and again on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. There will be a parish vigil service at 7 p.m. Friday at the Athens funeral home.
On behalf of the family, we would like to extend a thank you to all those close family members and friends who have helped Laura over the years. She was truly blessed.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made towards a memorial fund. A Celebration of Life and burial will take place in spring 2022.
Paid obituary 114269
