Janice Ann Braun

Janice (Jan) Ann Braun of Davenport, Nebraska, the wife of Everett Braun was born on April 3, 1955 at Deshler, Nebraska.  She departed this life on November 2, 2022 at Grand Island Regional Medical Center at the age of 67 years 7 months.  She was baptized April 17, 1955 at Bethlehem Lutheran Kiowa, rural Deshler.  She was confirmed March 30, 1969 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Deshler, Nebraska.  Jan grew up in the Deshler area and attended elementary school at Bethlehem Lutheran Kiowa and St. Peters Lutheran Deshler.  High school years were spent at Deshler Public High School from where she graduated in 1973.  Post-secondary studies involved secretarial training and healthcare.  She lived for a time in Lincoln, Deshler, Bloomfield, Sutton, and Davenport.

Jan married Everett Braun on September 14, 2002.  She had adopted two children, Vince Benes of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Bobby Benes of Springfield, Colorado during her previous marriage to Ben Benes.  She was preceded in death by her parents Arnold Loontjer 1993 and Betty Loontjer 2019, brothers Wayne and Kenneth, nieces Kimberly, Andrea and Elissa Loontjer, and many aunts and uncles.

Those left to cherish her memories include her children, brother Gary and wife Susan Loontjer, brother Russell and wife Toni Loontjer, sisters-in-law Jackie Loontjer, and Marcia Mueller and husband Wayne, Loretta Braun-Lush, aunt Ilene Denzin, grandchildren Elijah Benes, Izaac and Izaiah Cohl (mother-Jamie Benes), Jaslynn Koch-Benes (mother–Jackie Koch), nephews Nathan Loontjer (Lori Pritchard), Kevin Loontjer (Jessica), Curtis Loontjer (Nikii), Brian Loontjer (Michaela), Dustin Oltman, nieces Erin Pagel (Mike), Jessica Milner (Matt), Kelsey Birchem (Devon), great-nephews and nieces, many cousins, and a great many friends.

Jan spent a great deal of time constructing memory books for all of us and included many shared family activities in these books.  She also created memory books for many children through the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Nebraska.  When not scrapbooking you might find her making greeting cards, crocheting, baking, cooking, and playing cards (word has it that she snuck a roll of quarters into heaven for 31😊).  After her father and mother could no longer host family gatherings, she and Ev opened their home and family & friends would crowd in to enjoy many days and nights of cards and conversation.

Viewing is at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Davenport on Friday, November 11 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 12, one hour before the 11:00 funeral service at the church.  Price-Urbauer-Ahrendts Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. www.priceurbauerahrendts.com .