Service Information
Christopher “Chris” Braun, age 67, of Darwin, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at his home in Darwin.
Memorial Service will be held Saturday, June 8, 2024, 4:00 P.M., at Cornerstone Church in Litchfield, Minnesota. Private Family Graveside Service will be held at a later date at St. Anastasia Catholic Cemetery in Hutchinson, Minnesota.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held from 2:00-4:00 P.M., two hours prior to the service at the church.
Coffee and Cookies will be served at the church immediately following the service.
Obituary
Christopher “Chris” Peter Braun (Braunie) was born on May 3, 1957, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He was the son of Sally (Germscheid) Braun and the late Neal Braun. Chris was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. He was a graduate of the Hutchinson High School Class of 1975. He continued his education at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota where he was a part of the 1976 National Championship winning football team. He graduated with a degree in Environmental Science from St. John’s and also received a degree in NDT from Hutchinson Technical College.
On December 21, 1985, Chris was united in marriage to Suzanne Helmbrecht at St Anastasia Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with two children, Beau and Alex, whom he was more than proud of. Chris and Suzanne made their home on Lake Washington, on the outskirts of Darwin, Minnesota. They shared 38 years of marriage.
Chris was employed at Hillyard Inc. He spent the majority of his 35 years as a sales rep with the company. He took pride in building life-long relationships with his customers, as well as being of service to them.
Chris was passionate about sharing time with his parents and in-laws every chance he could get. He also loved to spend time at the Hunt Shack in northern Minnesota, near Lake Winnie. The memories he shared there, with buddies and family, were more than special to him. He had a love for sports. The biggest sport highlights for him were supporting and coaching his children with their sport interests. He was more than proud of their hockey careers. Fish fries, bonfires, reflecting on a full moon, and watching sunsets over the lake, surrounded by his family, and the love of his life Suzanne, was all he needed.
Remembering a gentle and simple man, and of few words. He always had a listening ear and was full of love in his heart for everyone he knew. One of the last words he spoke was “I love you man”. If he were here, he would want all of you to know that his love for all of you, was like no other.
Chris loved the Lord, including the prayer that his son would send him daily as part of a family prayer group. He grew his faith in his later years at Cornerstone Church in Litchfield, Minnesota.
His daily prayer: Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Chris passed away on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at his home in Darwin, at the age of 67 years.
God's blessings to everyone who knew him.
Chris is survived by his:
Wife: Suzanne Braun of Darwin, MN;
Children: Beau Braun and his special friend, Amanda Ryder of Hudson, WI,
Alex McGlynn and her husband, Colin of Minnetrista, MN;
Mother: Sally Braun of Hutchinson, MN;
Father and Mother-in-law: Mick and Diane Helmbrecht;
Siblings: Sue Keenan and her husband, Mike of Glencoe, MN,
Jill Gibson and her husband, Herb of Mahtomedi, MN,
Tom Braun of Darwin, MN;
Brother-in-law: Scott Helmbrecht and his wife Rhonda,
Vin Goldsmith and his wife Jane from Australia;
Sister-in-law: Michelle Helmbrecht;
Nieces and Nephews.
Chris is preceded in death by his Father, Neal Braun; Brother-in-law, Jon Helmbrecht.
Kim ofallon says
Sue & family, My thoughts and prayers are with you. So sorry to hear of your loss. I really enjoyed working with Chris. He was such an enjoyable guy to work with. He will be greatly missed.
Nita Totushek says
Sue & families,
I am so sorry for your loss. I’m sure he fought a long hard battle. Hugs & Prayers.
Dick and Paula Goebel says
So so sorry to hear this, my deepest sympathies to all….
Pat and Joy says
Sue and family, so sorry for your loss. Feelings can be hard to convey, and words so inadequate. thinking and praying for you and the family.
Del & Gail Point says
So sorry to hear about Chris. I have a lot of fond memories of him and both Gail and I have great memories of our first Floor Care Supply Christmas Party and the time we got to spend together with Chris and Sue!
Kathy Berghuis says
So sorry for your loss!
Janice Heintz says
So sorry to hear about a class mate. Always too soon
Andrea Rubischko says
I’m so sorry for your loss. Many thoughts and prayers are with you. I worked with Chris for a short time at Hillyard. He was so kind and helpful anytime I had questions!
Cindy Gruhlke says
So sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Christian Dobratz says
Sue and Family,
My sympathies to you all on your husband and dad’s passing. May the great memories you have with him sustain you in the hard times. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Mark Johnson says
So sorry to hear of Chris’ passing. I keep saying, he was truly one of the good guys. I’ve worked with him for over 20 years and he always looked out for my interests. He overcame so much and I was hoping for a different outcome again this time. He will be greatly missed.
Dave Hamel says
I worked with Chris for many years as the Region Manager for Nilfisk-Advance. Chris was always kind and soft spoken. He was a good guy with great relationships with everyone he dealt with including me. We will keep Chris in our thoughts and prayers.
Dave and Pam Hamel
Leah Kohls says
So Sorry to hear about Chris (Braunie). I enjoyed working with him at Hillyard over the years. He was so hard working and kind and never complained about anything. He always put everyone else before himself. He overcame so much and was such a trooper through it all. He will be missed deeply! My thoughts and prayers are with you, during this difficult time .
Loren Lickfelt says
So sorry for your loss Sue. Chris was a great guy. May he rest in peace
Bonnie Westmiller says
Sue & family,
I am so saddened to hear of Chris’ passing. He was a great emotional support to me when Mark first started his journey with cancer at Mayo. He always had a positive spin to share. May God comfort your heavy hearts.
Kathryn Stueber says
So sorry for the loss of Chris.
Lori and Brian Kaping says
Sue and families,
Our love and prayers to You and your family. May you find peace and comfort in the many memories you have and share. Chris was a wonderful man and he will be greatly missed by so many.
Wendy Korhonen says
Hugs and prayers to all! So very sorry.
Steven and Darla Jansick says
Sue and Family, with our sincere sympathy to all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Steve and Darla Jansick
Shelly Ceasar says
I am so very sad about Chris’s passing. I loved talking to him every time he came to church to get my Hillyard order & then at the school. He will be so missed!!!
Ardella Ditty says
Sue, I am sorry to hear the news of your husband’s death. My Sympathy and prayers to you and your family. My son David works for Nilfisk-Advance and he knew your husband thru Hillyard Co. He sent me a text of the Obituary. You have my sincere sympathy.
Ardella Ditty
Roxanne Laakkonen says
Sue and family, so sorry to hear of Chris passing. Please know your friends and coworkers and past coworkers would do anything to ease your sorrow. Hugs always.
Vicki says
I pray that Chris quickly joined all those he had been missing here on earth in Heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with you dear cousins. He was a lot of fun to be with when we’d be up to Minn. for visits with all our kids playing together. Prayers n BIG HUGE hugs for my cousins especially Suzanne and their beautiful children Alex and Beau and Chris’s family too. Also My Uncle Mick n Aunt Diane…and Everyone who loved him so much. Sincerely, your cousin Vicki n Lars and ALL your Illinois Monteleones cousins. ? Gods Speed
Celeste Gibson says
Dear Sue and family,
We are so sorry for the heartbreaking loss of your beloved Chris. May your many wonderful memories bring you comfort at this time of profound grief.
Jim and Celeste Gibson
Mary Quade says
Chris was a prince of a guy, always put others before himself. Enjoy your castle in heaven Chris, your loved ones are safe with us!
Chris Wischmann says
Sue and family,
Sending our love and prayers to you all, so sorry for your loss.
ROBERT NESS says
Sue so sorry to hear of your loss of Chris.
Our hearts and prayers are with you as you grieve his passing and may the the flood of memories of all the good times give piece and comfort.
If there is any way we can reach out and help—please let us know. You are special to us and so many others !
Blessings and Love!!
paul betker says
So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family at this difficult time, sending prayers.
Tamra Anderson says
Jill and family,
Deepest condolences to the entire Gibson/Braun family. Praying for strength, peace, and comfort in knowing that Chris is free of pain and home surrounded by other loved ones who have gone before him. Sending love and hugs.
Kristin Briggs says
Sue and Family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know Chris was a wonderful guy. He will greatly be missed by all who knew and loved him. Sending prayers.
Charlie and Kim Schimmelpfennig says
Sue and family, so sorry for your loss. Cherish the memories.
Bruce Ellig says
Our Prayers are with all. Chris may be gone from this Earth, but he will always be in our Hearts. Hey COACH, our paths will cross again.
Bart & Susan Rasmussen says
Suzanne (and Family),
We are sorry to hear of your loss of Chris. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad and difficult time.
Julie Reginek says
Sue and family-
Sending prayers and sympathy to you.
Julie Reginek (Peterson)
Ralph Haglund says
My sympathy pours out to the Chris Braun family. I had the privilege to meet Chris in December of 2009 when I took over the Environmental Supervisor position at ACMC. Chris would stop once a week to visit about needs for ACMC. He truly cared. This is always shown when someone is a great listener. Chris was just that. I often thought of the company Hillyard on how fortunate they were to have him. Memories will live on forever!
Karla Ardolf says
Sue, Mike and family-
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your brother. He sounds like he was great guy, and taken way too soon! Hugs to you, and prayers for strength in the days ahead. You have our deepest sympathy.
Karla and Ardie
Lee & Sharon Gruenhagen says
Dear Sue & family, we are so sorry to hear about the passing of Chris. May you know that we are thinking of you and praying for your family. May the promises given to us by Jesus help give you comfort and peace through your tears of grief. He has gone to prepare a place for us that we may live for all eternity with Him.
Lee & Sharon Gruenhagen
Brady Flaherty says
So sorry to hear this. Chris was my rep for hillyard and was such a profoundly nice man. He always had such a positive presence and a warm heart.
My thoughts go out to the family
Brady
Sheila Thompson says
Dear Sue and family, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Chris. Praying for you and your family during this very difficult time.
Sheila (Reid) Thompson
Bill W says
So very sorry for your loss I always enjoy calling Cris for orders of chemicals from Hillyard or getting advice he will be missed very much God bless the memories
Gail Wunsch says
Sue and family,
My condolences to you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Laurie Bissen says
So sorry for your loss of Chris. I had the privilege of working with Chris at Hillyard for a number of years and my husband, Mike, was a friend of Chris also. Chris was a great guy and will truly be missed and remembered!
Jill Lovald says
Dear cousin Sue
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Chris he was a great person to be with and call family My prayers are with you and keep the good memories close to your heart
Blessings Jill
Bonnie Karl says
Sue and families,
So sorry to hear of Chris passing. Our prayers to you all. Many fond memories of neighborhood fun.
Bonnie (Heil) and Rick Karl
Darlene Kotelnicki says
I met Chris when I was chair of the Litchfield Library Board. We built a new library in 2000; since then he was my first call for anything cleaning or rugs. Such a wonderful man.You all gave my sympathy at this time. Prayers…
GEOFFREY DOCKEN says
Chris was the first goalie for the Hutchinson High School hockey team in 1972. He was an excellent goalie and athlete. As the goalie, Chris won the first game ever against St. Cloud Tech. Later he helped coach the high school team. I remember his great personality , and he was a hard worker. I am sad to hear of his passing. Geoffrey Docken
Twyla Waller says
Sue and Families,
Our deepest sympathy to all. Thoughts and prayers to all. Your Families have meant the world to me, all my life. Always in my thoughts.
May you cherish all your Memories….
Twyla and Chuck
Kay Yoch says
Sue and family…God really does take the best! I had Chris as a student when he was either a High School Junior or Senior. What a “joy” he was in class! I’m telling you now that if every kid was as great a student as Chris, I would still be teaching!