James M. Braun Sr.

James Marvin Braun passed away peacefully on Friday, Jan. 23 at the age of 88, rejoining his beloved wife Anne (nee Corcoran) in God’s paradise.

Jim was born on Sept. 9, 1937 to Marvin J. and Irene (nee Guse) Braun. He is survived by sons James Jr. (Cindy), Rick, Jeff (Tammy) and Randy (Maurine) and daughter Julie. He is further survived by sisters Bonnie (Thomas) Ziegenhagen and Ruth (Mike) Falkner, in-laws Mike (Sue) Corcoran, Greg (Aggie) Corcoran, Sally (Bill) Fritz and Nancy Corcoran. Also survived by grandchildren Nicci (Charles) Masters, Andy (Nicole) Braun, James III (Sammie) Braun and Sara (Kevin) Zeitler, Emily (Tyler) Majewski and Zach Braun, and 13 great grandchildren. He is also survived by 20 nephews and nieces and many friends, including dear friend Jeff Nehlsen, who kept Jim connected to his friends and organized card-game visits right to his final days.

Jim was preceded in death by Anne, his beloved wife of 65 years; his father Marvin and mother, Irene; his sister Judith Gear and her husband James; his sister-in-laws Colleen Barry and her husband C. Dan Barry; sister-in-law Mary Wamser; and brother-in-law Dan Corcoran and too many friends to count.

A 23-year veteran of the U.S. Naval Reserve, Jim’s work ethic set an example for his children and everyone around him. After owning his own business for four years, he had a 35-year career as a truck driver before retiring in 1999.

He made his mark in the community as a well-loved Cub Scout softball coach and a long-time lector at Immaculate Conception Church in Bay View. He and some of his many long-time friends shot dart ball at Immaculate Conception for 45 years, which also allowed him to take part in his favorite card game, Sheepshead. He played Sheepshead right up to the final year of his life.

Jim and Anne enjoyed a large circle of friends who traveled together and also got together weekly for a Friday fish fry for more than 30 years.

As a child, he traveled with his father, a national champion boat racer, around the Midwest on weekends. He learned his father’s work ethic and rarely took a day off of work. One rare exception was April 7, 1970, when he used a vacation day so he and Anne could take their four boys out of school to attend the first Milwaukee Brewers Opening Day.

James will be remembered for the joy he found in time spent with his family and the traditions he lovingly created. He delighted in attending “WaterBugs” water ski shows and was a devoted presence in his children’s lives, never missing a baseball, soccer, or basketball game, a school play, or a family racing event. Each summer, James gathered his family for cherished vacations, renting cottages on Lake Beulah or Big Cedar Lake, where days were filled with boating, water sports, laughter, and togetherness. Through these moments, he instilled in his children a lasting love for the water and for family, leaving behind memories that will be treasured forever.

Visitation will be at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 1051 E. Russell Ave., in Milwaukee on Tuesday, Feb. 3 beginning at 9:30 a.m., with Mass to follow at 11.

The family would like to thank the staff at Waterford Place, where mom and dad spent their final years. The family would also like to thank the staff of Heartland Hospice, who made Dad’s final days as comfortable as possible.