A Family Funeral Home
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Hubert "Hub" H. Braun

February 21, 1924 - January 10, 2017
Racine, WI

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Visitation

Monday, January 16, 2017
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM CST
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church
6400 Spring Street
Racine 53406

Service

Monday, January 16, 2017
11:00 AM CST
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church
6400 Spring Street
Racine 53406

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

St. Catherine's High School
1200 Park Avenue
Racine, WI 53403

Marquette University
1250 West Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53233

St Paul the Apostle Legacy Fund
6400 Spring Street
Racine, WI

Life Story / Obituary


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There is no greater man than one who lives by his convictions and cherishes those entrusted to his care, and Hubert “Hub” Braun was such a man. The foundation of his family, Hub worked hard to provide a good life for those he loved, and as their foundation, he lead by way of example with integrity and unconditional love. Hub lived his life with compassion, thoughtfulness and a welcoming spirit. It was truly a privilege to share his company where times were sure to be filled with laughter, optimism and kindness. Having come from humble beginnings, Hub served as a trusted mentor, confidant, educator, and friend to many who came to know him. A graciously generous and tolerant man, Hub will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Hubert’s story began during a time of economic prosperity as industry and the need for consumer goods rose. While jazz dominated the music sector, men in their pan hats strolled along with swank and swagger and were quite a match for the belles of the infamous Roaring Twenties, the flapper. At the same time, Ellis Island closed its doors as an immigration entry point, leaving behind numerous memories of promises for better tomorrows. Yet nestled in rural Racine, Wisconsin, on February 21, 1924, Hubert H. “Hub” Braun was the youngest child born to his parents, the late Victor and Catherine (Mueller) Braun.

Born and raised on the family farm purchased by his father a century ago and the second generation, Hubert joined his older siblings, John, Frances and Marie. He attended the Herzog School, a one-room schoolhouse without indoor plumbing. His teacher for seven years, Mrs. Anna Warren was very instrumental and an inspiration for Hubert becoming an educator. From meager beginnings, Hubert learned the value of hard work farming with a two horse team to do field work. In addition to his studies, during his youth he planted, tended and harvested crops each year. In doing so, he tripled the size of the farm which produced corn, wheat, soybeans and vegetables for processing and green consumption.

At merely 16 years old, Hubert was a proud graduate of St. Catherine’s High School “Class of 1940” and was later inducted into St. Catherine’s Alumni Hall of Fame in 2002. Furthering his education, Hubert received his Bachelor and Master’s degree in mechanical engineering and science from Marquette University, having graduated second in his class, and in 1970 he went on to attain his MS degree from the University of Wisconsin.

Hub met his one and only, Jean Frances Murphy while delivering produce to a store ran by her brother. On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1952, at St. Edward’s Catholic Church, Hub was united in marriage to Jean, a day in which he counted as his greatest accomplishment. With an abiding love, they went on to share 54 beautiful years together before Jean preceded him in death on August 21, 2006. They also shared the love of four wonderful children, James, Carolyn, Margaret, and Dan. Although Hub led a busy and fulfilling life, he always made time for family, his greatest joy and priority. In addition, he was a blessing and a mentor in the lives of his sister, Fran and her family following the death of his dear brother-in-law.

Always compassionate, kind, and thoughtful, Hub was very dedicated to his farming and community service. As a couple, he and Jean worked together for 53 years in the agricultural business in addition to his being employed as Campus Administrator for Kenosha Gateway Technical College for 43 years. From 1962 to 1963, Hub taught at St. Catherine’s before moving on to Racine Vocational School. In 1966 he transferred to Kenosha Technical Institute, now known as Gateway Technical College. Hub was honored to have been named Vice President of Gateway for the entire Kenosha campus in 1979 prior to retiring from there in 1989 at the age of 66. As an educator, Hub’s heart’s desire was to help people reach their potential, and as many can attest, he did, indeed.

Actively involved in community organizations, Hub served on the Racine County Board of Supervisors for 40 years of continuous service, served as past president of Local Chapter 202 of Catholic Financial, and was a member of the St. Sebastian school board for three years, and president for one. Hub was a longtime, active member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church where he served on the building committee. His involvement spanned numerous career activities including education, local government, agriculture and charitable causes. Active in State and Federal legislation, Hub appeared numerous times in Madison and in Washington in support of or oppose proposed legislation.

Hub and Jean enjoyed extensive travels to North America, Europe and Asia. As members of Friendship Force and the Lions Club, they together graciously hosted and welcomed many world travelers into their home. Hub loved to travel. In fact, his airplane miles could easily equal three times around the world! As seasoned travelers, he and Jean combined their business travel with pleasure over the years. They visited many of the places he only read about as a farm boy in a one-room school. A few of their exciting destinations included Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Taiwan in addition to nearly all of the U.S. states and provinces in Canada. One of their most notable experiences was the Easter week ceremonies in 1999 at the Vatican with Pope John Paul officiating. While there they were honored to be involved in an archaeological tour of the crypts below St. Peters Basilica.

In his free time, Hub was quite involved in searching family genealogical records and keeping them up to date. He authored numerous articles related to family history, as well as articles of civic interest he wrote in a weekly column for the Racine Reporter newspaper. Hub loved to write and was passionate about doing so. A cherished grandfather, Hub loved any time shared with his grandchildren. He served them well as a loving and engaged part of their lives, and the best of times were shared when he made videos of his grandchildren and the chickens that were “available!”

Hub was always grateful for the life he was so blessed with. From humble beginnings, he went on to become a well trusted and respected friend and confidant of many who looked to him for advice and counsel. Always even tempered, Hub possessed a great sense of humor and remained very positive in all that came his way. Hub treasured his family and for those who knew and loved him best, he leaves a lasting legacy always to be remembered.

Hubert “Hub” H. Braun, age 92, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at Ascension All Saints Hospital. He dearly loved his family and will be missed by his children, Carolyn (Mike) Milkie, Margaret (Dennis) Haag, and Dan (Teri) Braun, all of Mt. Pleasant; grandchildren, Nathan Milkie of Kansas City, KS, Matthew (Stacey) Milkie of Yorkville, Nick (Kim) Haag of Salem, Melissa (Andrew) Greiner, Elizabeth (Justin) Urban, Jimmy Braun, all of Mt. Pleasant; great-grandchildren, Elise Piper, Louis and Evelyn Milkie, Bennett Haag, Kylie, Bryce and Madelyn Greiner; sister-in-law, Iola Murphy of Racine; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to his parents and wife, he was also preceded in death by his son, James; brother, John Braun; sisters, Frances Doherty, and Marie Dederich.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., on Monday, January 16, 2017, 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Terrence Huebner officiating. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Kinzie Ave. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass at 11:00 a.m. Memorials to St. Catherine’s High School, Marquette University, or St. Paul the Apostle Legacy Fund have been suggested. The family extends a special thank you to the staff at Ascension All Saints Hospital Unit 3B for all of their loving and compassionate care. To share a favorite memory or photo of Hub and to sign his online guest book, please visit www.lifestorynet.com

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