Kenneth A. Braun

Kenneth Arthur Braun, age 92, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Affectionately known to many as "Uncle Kenny", he was the youngest of eleven children born to Joseph and Barbara Braun on December 5, 1932 in Harbor Beach, MI. Ken farmed most of his life on the family farm on Buhl Road in Harbor Beach where he resided until his passing. He graduated from 8th grade from the Ashmore school just down the road where he would butter up his teacher Mrs. Learman by going early to light the wood stove and cleaning the chalkboards after school. He always had a story to tell with his four classmates – Earl Booms, Gerald Booms, David Kramer and Robert Roggenbuck. At the young age of 13, Ken started working for his neighbor, Charlie Groll, as an assistant in his cattle hauling and meat processing businesses. Ken started working for Dawes in Harbor Beach as an acid maker, where Corteva is today. He then worked for Paper Roll Products in Port Austin for a number of years and spent one winter in Detroit, MI at Consolidated Smelting Company where he melted lead. Ken ended his working career as a security guard at Dawes in Harbor Beach.
Uncle Kenny had a special bond with his great niece Johanna, who will forever cherish their memories. From her asking "got any jobs for me" during a visit when she was younger to daily phone calls now, to taking care of him in his final days, they had an undeniable friendship. He also loved to visit with friends and neighbors and often could be seen driving around the neighborhood on his Ranger. He was known to keep his lawn meticulous as he enjoyed a leisurely day outside. Ken loved meeting new friends while selling his famous wood working projects (Ken's Woodworking) at the Port Austin Farmers Market and ABC Days in Port Hope. He was also an avid deer hunter, always cherishing a day in his deer hut on the family farm. He was a lifelong member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Helena.
Uncle Kenny is survived by his nephew Joseph and Deanna Braun, and their children Jocelyn Braun, Joseph and Jackie and their daughter Emerson Braun and Johanna Braun of Harbor Beach; niece Donna and Steven Volmering and their children Matthew and Erica Volmering, Jackilyn and Derek Wolschleger, and Jason and Chelsea Volmering and their families of Harbor Beach. Also surviving are his special friends Richard and Annette Gusa of Harbor Beach and their children Donald and Benjamin(Godchild of Ken) and their families; and godchild Brian Koss. Ken is also survived by many other nephews and nieces.
He is predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Barbara (Nowicki-Romzek) Braun, and his siblings and their spouses – one sister, Theresa(Romzek) and Leonard Messing and nine brothers: Ralph and Margaret Braun, Wilfred Braun, Roman and twin Raymond(infant), Anthony Braun, Norman and Esther Braun, Raymond and Dolores Braun, Orville and Patricia Braun, and Harry and Jean Braun.
His family would like to thank the Harbor Beach Community Hospital Acute Care staff and Heartland Hospice for their kindness. Also, they would like to thank his friends and neighbors for always keeping an eye out for Uncle Kenny when he needed a hand with a "quick" project, help of any kind when he was in need, as well as the meals and especially the delicious desserts for his sweet tooth delivered to his home. A special thanks to his Holy Name of Mary Parish family, especially Fr. Kevin Wojciechowski.
If you wish to honor Uncle Kenny's memory with a donation, please consider Holy Name of Mary Parish, 413 South First Street, Harbor Beach, MI 48441. Per Uncle Kenny's wishes, a private family service will be held. Arrangements were made by the Ramsey Funeral Home of Harbor Beach.