Robert John Braun

On the morning of December 10, 2024, after going to physical therapy, taking communion, and having a cup of coffee with his wife Gwen, Bob Braun passed away peacefully at Felician Village in Manitowoc.

Bob was born on October 4, 1926, and grew up in Athens, Wisconsin. His family had a sawmill and eventually a building material supply business for decades in Marathon County.  He worked in the family business summers during high school.  After graduation in May 1944, Bob enlisted in the Navy, and he was assigned to the Seabees where he served in the South Pacific until the end of the war.

Bob graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison in 1946 where he studied business administration and finance. In 1950 Bob moved to Manitowoc to be the resident manager of Laird Lumber Company. Mr. Richard Laird hired him to manage this new location. It began in a two-car garage with an oil burning stove for heat. This new venture prospered and in 1953 they built a new store and warehouse on the site at 1103 Chicago St.

In 1960 Bob and his brother Hugh and Hugh’s fiancée Joan Herring decided to play a game of golf.  They brought Joan’s roommate Carlie Malin with them and Carlie played so well she beat Bob that day. Bob and Carlie were married on January 20, 1962. They had 5 beautiful children together and made their home on Chasm Lane in Manitowoc.

In November 1967 Mr. Laird was killed in a car accident and Bob and Carlie were given the opportunity to buy Laird Lumber Company’s Manitowoc location. They did so in May 1969 and the name Braun Building Center was given to the new venture.  In 1978 Bob and Carlie expanded the business by purchasing land on Menasha Avenue and building a new facility that is still in business today. Bob and his son Paul ran the business together for 15 years and his grandson Ben Braun will eventually continue the family legacy.

Bob and Carlie enjoyed a wonderful life raising their kids in Manitowoc, playing bridge, golf and tennis, following the Packers, downhill skiing, and traveling to Hilton Head Island for many years. Carlie passed away in 1993. Bob was a director for the First National Bank for 25 years, a member of the Manitowoc Lion’s Club, and one of the founding members of the Manitowoc County Home Builders Association.

In February of 1996 Bob married Gwen Meehan. They spent many years in Port Charlotte, Florida playing golf and bridge and enjoying the warm weather.

Bob is survived by his second wife Gwen Braun, his son, Paul J. (Dana) Braun of Manitowoc, his daughters Julie (Frank) Winski of Atlanta, GA, Amy (Joe) Gold of Darien, CT, Grace (Paul) Manning of Chicago, IL, and Mara (Craig) Kormylo of Evergreen, CO.  He is survived by his grandchildren Benjamin Braun and wife Ariel Zebro, Carly Ann Braun and fiancé Jake Marshall, Madeline Braun, Jack Winski, Brady Winski, Liam Winski, Drew Gold and fiancée Katie Hirthler, Spencer Gold and fiancée Zaynah Moen, Lucy Manning, RJ Manning, Katie Manning, Macy Kormylo, and Reese Kormylo.

Bob was preceded in death by his father Albert Braun, mother Florence Brady Braun, his wife Carolyn “Carlie” Malin Braun, his brothers James Braun, Mark Braun, Hugh Braun and his sister, Sister Jeanne Marie Braun.

Bob lived a long life that made his family proud.  Special thanks to the employees at Braun Building Center who always made him feel so welcome, all of the staff at Felician Village who gave him wonderful care, and all of his friends and family who loved him and showed him kindness.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to the Robert and Carolyn Braun memorial scholarship at Roncalli Catholic Schools, 2000 Mirro Dr. Manitowoc Wi 54220.

A Funeral Service to celebrate Bob’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, December 20, 2024 at St. Francis of Assisi on Waldo, 1121 North 14th Street, Manitowoc. The Rev. Doug LeCaptain will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial with entombment to follow at Calvary Mausoleum in Manitowoc. Relatives and friends may call on Thursday, December 19 at the Lakeshore Life Celebration Center, 3613 Waldo Boulevard, Manitowoc from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm and again on Friday at the church from 9:30 am until the time of Mass at 11:00. Military Honors will be accorded at the mausoleum. The family would like to invite all to a luncheon being served at the Lakeshore Life Celebration Center following the internment.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com

Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Jens Family Funeral Home, Manitowoc location, is assisting the family with arrangements.

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