Vanessa Braun

Vanessa Braun, 57, a resident of Underwood, died peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, February 4, 2015 after a nearly year long journey living with Cholangiocarcinoma. She was the oldest of 7 children of Leo Braun and Norine Erway, both of Underwood.

She was born July 31, 1957 in Coudersport, PA. She attended elementary school at St. Mary’s Catholic School of New Trier, MN. She was a member of the 1975 Class of Hastings High School of Hastings, MN. She was involved in 4H, band (playing the French horn) and also in One Act Play Competitions.

Vanessa was a talented artist, seamstress and gardener. She did industrial and professional sewing for over 30 years, owning a couple of her own businesses during that time. She was also a woman of quick wit and humor and was not afraid to tell it to you straight, which suited her when she tended bar at several establishments. She touched many, many lives. And the world will be a little less colorful with her absence.

Vanessa is preceded in death by her grandparents, John and Rachel (Thompson) Keesler, Mike and Amelia (Yetzer) Braun; brother, Russel Jerome Braun.

She is survived by her parents, Leo Braun and Norine Erway, both of Underwood; sons, Ryan Oehrlein and (special friend Amanda Schoutens) of Brainerd, MN, Matthew Braun of St. Paul and Aaron Schliecher of Minneapolis; sister, Rachelle (Forrest) Hanson of Underwood; brothers, Ralph of Cannon Falls, Rodney (Lori) of Cottage Grove, Remy (Julie) of Mt. Vernon, MO and Roger of Watford City, ND; one grandson, Sawyer Oehrlein, who brought her great joy and “second mom”, Marilyn Lundmark. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and a large loving extended family.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 11 a.m. Saturday, February 7, 2015 at Messiah Lutheran Church, Underwood, MN
Clergy: Reverend Carl Egstad
Burial: Messiah Lutheran Church Cemetery, Underwood, MN
Arrangements: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, MN

Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com