Gerald R. "Jerry" Brauns

BRAUNS, Gerald Richard, age 81 of Milwaukee, WI, a U.S. Navy veteran SK1 (Storekeeper First Class), passed away on February 7, 2026, in Madison, WI.

"Jerry" was born on January 12, 1945, in Milwaukee, son of Hort and Annette (née Schaefer) Brauns. He graduated in 1963 from Wauwatosa East High School. In March of 1964, he started working at M&I Bank in Milwaukee in their Foreign Trade Department. In May of 1965, Jerry entered the U.S. Navy, serving 18 months active duty in the Vietnam War aboard the USS Vega AF-59, which operated in the Pacific providing logistical support to the U.S. 7th Fleet. During port calls, he had the opportunity to travel to Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. When stateside, the USS Vega was at port in Alameda Naval Air Station in San Francisco Bay. He continued in the Navy Reserve for 23 years and retired from M&I Bank in Loan Collections after 43 years of service.

Jerry was an accomplished piano player with an affinity for classical music as well as classical movie theme songs. His interest in American history inspired visits to Washington DC and many Civil War battleground memorials, which deepened his appreciation for events that shaped the nation. Journeys took him to coastal cities in Florida and California, the Hawaiian Islands, and the Colorado mountains. Travels to Abraham Lincoln's residence in Springfield and Ronald Reagan's presidential library in California helped to make connections with the legacies of the leaders he admired.

Survived by his niece, Lynette (Thomas) Johnson; nephews, Gregg (Jill), Darrell (Amy), Jeffrey (Jeanne), Christopher (Beth), and Matthew (Ellena) Brauns; as well as cousins, great nieces and nephews; loving family and friends, including Jenny, a trusted friend for many years. Proceeded in death by his father and mother, brother Robert and sister-in-law Arlene Brauns (née Kemnitz).

Funeral services will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin. On Thursday, February 26, 2026, a visitation will begin at 5:00 PM with a prayer service following at 6:30 PM. On Friday, February 27, 2026, visitation from 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM, with service to follow at 10:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Wisconsin Humane Society or to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.