John E. Braun

John E. Braun, 81, Marathon, formerly of Athens died Friday, December 5, 2014 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born June 3, 1933 in Wausau, son of the late Wilfred and Edna (Wendt) Braun. On June 18, 1958 he married Marion J. Peissig at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Stetsonville. She survives. After graduating from Athens High School, John attended St. Norbert College until he was called to serve in the Korean War. Upon completion of his service in the military he joined Braun Bros. & Co. in retail sales and service in the lumber and hardware business. He retired after 42 years. John was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and water sports. He, his wife and family and friends enjoyed many trips to Canada fishing. John and his family spent time at Manson Lake near Rhinelander, camping at their property at Great Bass, Lac Du Flambeau and since 1998 enjoyed time at their cottage at Lake George, Rhinelander. John was very proud to be from Athens. He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, active in the Athens Fair and served as scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts. In 2010 John and his wife moved to Marathon after residing in Athens for 52 years. In Marathon he enjoyed sporting events with his grandsons, joined the Swim Center and was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife, Marion Braun, Marathon, his children, Mike Braun, Wausau, Pat (Joanne) Braun, Buffalo, Minnesota, Mary Beth (Les) McNeill, Sun Prairie and Tony (Sandy) Braun, Marathon, eight grandchildren, John, Maria, Andrew and David Braun, Kristina and Sara McNeill and Matthew and Joshua Braun, two brothers, Tom (Bev) Braun, Athens, Joe (Joan) Braun, Milan and one sister, Judi (Jim) Hartman, Athens and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his siblings, Jean Hartman, Joan Smith, Joyce Riehle and Bill Braun. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. The Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will preside and The Rev. Paul Hoffman will co-officiate. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Athens. Friends may call on Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens and again on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a rosary service at 7:30 p.m. Monday evening at the Athens funeral home. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in John's name. Online condolences may be expressed at www. petersonkraemer.com