1923-ELMA BRAUN-2017
Elma Irene Braun was born on May 8, 1923 in Sauk Centre Minnesota to Edward and Mabel Mills VanVickle. Elma grew up in the Sauk Centre area and married Harold “Jack” Thoms. Jack was killed in action during WWII. On July 3, 1947 she and Howard Braun were married in Fairfax, MN. Following their marriage they made their home in Fairfax and later Sleepy Eye, MN. In 1953 they moved to Slayton and raised their family. Howard passed away on February 8, 1991. Elma remained in Slayton until 2005 when she moved to Fulda, MN. Elma passed away on Friday, January 27, 2017 at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 93. She was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton where she was active with the Catholic Daughters of America. Elma enjoyed spending time with family, painting, reading, sewing, gardening and crossword puzzles.
Survivors include her nine children and their spouses, Patricia and Virgil Bloom of Boerne, TX, Linda and Gary Busch of Fulda, MN, Janet and Dave Herrig of Iona, MN, Jerry and Harriet Braun of Slayton, MN, Mary and Charles Tennessen of Northfield, MN, Don and Bev Braun of Lynd, MN, Brenda and Rod Gunnink of Comfort, TX, Beth and Jack Kaufman of Fulda, MN, and Laurie and Richard Cross of Brewster, MN; 31 grandchildren, 63 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Vera Thoms of Earlville, IL, Millie Krietinger of Earlville, IL, and Alice Baumann of Alexandria, MN. She is preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Harold ”Jack” Thoms and Howard Braun; infant son; one son, Greg Braun; four grandchildren, Michael Kruger, Joshua Gunnink, David Gunnink and Dawn Vogt; two infant brothers, Clifford and Gary VanVickle; two sisters and their spouses, Agnes and Gordon Thoms, and Gladys and Lawrence Jensen; and four brothers-in-law, Russell Thoms, Kenneth Krietinger, Elton Hauptli and Art Baumann.
Funeral Services at St. Ann’s Church on Friday, February 3, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. with Fr. Thien Nguyen officiating. The organist is Judy Andrews. The song leader is Sheila Crowley. The pallbearers are her grandchildren. Interment is at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Slayton, MN.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday. In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be directed to Murray County Hospice or to the Slayton Public Library. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com
