Obituary of Richard Franklin Braun

Richard Franklin “Frank” Braun passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Kirk, Colorado to Peter A. and Margaret E. (Klaussen) Braun, July 24, 1925. When he was 7 years old, the family moved to California, settling in Reedley. He worked on the farm with his father and brothers before joining the Merchant Marines. He was proud of the time he spent serving his country, and continued throughout his life being an “old salt” who absolutely loved any day he could spend at the beach. He enjoyed watching ships coming and going out of Depot Bay, while sipping an ice cold beverage sitting by the picture window of the Sea hag (a wonderful Depot Bay landmark.) Upon returning from the war, he met and married Nadine Kromberg on December 13, 1947. Together, they built a family and worked hard to care for their two daughters. He never fell short of caring for anyone related to him by blood or marriage. Nadine continued working on her father’s farm, while Franklin became the warehouse manager for Cella Vineyards Winery. In 1960 the family moved to Salem, Oregon. Frank took a job with West Coast Grocery, and retired from there after 25 years of exemplary service. He spent the next 23 years watching his family grow and tending his gardens. Throughout his life, major league baseball, gardening and deep sea fishing were his greatest joys; that is until he had grandchildren and great grandchildren. His girls, their spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren became the core of his life. He loved them with every fiber of his being. He told them stories of the great depression, the Second World War, his travels during those war years to faraway places, how to grow an amazing garden (both followers and vegetables,) and about the love of God and love for your fellow man. He taught them the importance of “family first” and doing kindness for others. He was genuinely a remarkable man, who on a daily basis was good natured, kind compassionate, thoughtful, generous, and loving and lived each day to its fullest. Frank was preceded in death by his wife Nadine of 59 years, who passed away in June of 2006; his brother James and sisters Maureen, Esther, and Dorothy. He is survived by his sister Caroline Gilstrap of Clovis, CA; brother Calvin Braun of Keizer, OR; daughter Karol Wall (husband Stan) of Charbonneau, daughter Elinor Taug (husband Dick), of Fairview grandson Major Victor “Rich” Satterlund (wife Alexandria) of Ft. Benning, GA; granddaughter Brandi Linn Satterlund (husband Kem) of Tualatin and granddaughter Serina Omari (husband Yuichiro) of Paris, TX. Olivia Denay, Savahana Marie, Arianna Jaelynn, Victor “Hunter”, and Jewel are the great grandchildren who were his hope for many bright tomorrows. The sorrow of his passing cannot be measured. He was the heart of this family, and we look forward to the day where we can all be together again, living as one unit in the house of the Lord. In honor of his wishes, no services will be held at this time. A memorial service will be held when all of the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren can be together. God saw he was getting tired, And a cure was not to be, So he put his arms around him, And whispered “Come with me.” With tearful eyes we watched him suffer, And saw him fade away, Although we couldn’t bare to lose him, We could not make him stay. A golden heart stopped beating, Hard working hands now rest, God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best!