Obituary for Michael David Braun
Braun, Michael D.
4/17/1961-8/1/2023
Age 62 of Edina. Preceded in death by father, Ralph. Survived by wife, Constance (Connie); children, Sarah (Matthew) Hanson, Nathan, and Rebecca; mother, Mary Braun; siblings, Joseph (Ann Rinehart), Teresa (Mark) Murray, and Thomas (Karen Moeller); nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Mike was a proud lifelong Edina Hornet and built many long-lasting relationships through sports. He played hockey and was the State Pole Vault Champion. He maintained special friendships with 4 of his classmates and all of their families, “The Cabinheads,” have gathered twice a year in northern WI for the last 26 years. The “Cabinhead boys” also met twice a year for weeklong fishing and hunting trips.
Mike majored in Fine Art at St. Olaf College, specializing in watercolor paintings. He met his wife Connie during their Global Semester trip from 1982-1983. They traveled around the world for 5 months with a group of students, “Globalites,” and two academic advisors. This trip forged lifelong friendships and solidified a love of travel. The group met in June 2023 for a 40th-year reunion.
Connie and Mike were married in 1985 and were due to celebrate their 38th wedding anniversary on August 10th. They initially lived in Linden Hills and then moved to Edina, where they raised their three children, Sarah, Nate, and Becca. Mike worked at Campbell-Mithun for 10 years as an Art Director and loved his work. He then transitioned to running his own business, Michael Braun Advertising and Design. Toward the end of his career, he focused mainly on photography.
Mike coached his children in hockey and developed a new set of friends, the hockey parents, “Team Orange.” He also played in a weekly hockey league (FMHL-Friday Morning Hockey League). He was just starting to get into Pickleball in Crosslake.
He loved to travel, and the family camped in many National Parks when the children were young. Once they were adults, they enjoyed foreign travels, including trips to Vietnam, Ireland, and Puerto Rico. He loved to ski downhill in CO and enjoyed yearly family trips to Florida. Mike was a travel planner extraordinaire.
He loved family time. Both the Braun and Halling families are large and close-knit; fortunately, most live in the Twin Cities area.
In 2016 Mike and Connie bought their dream cabin on West Fox Lake in Fifty Lakes, MN. Many of their closest friends have cabins on the same lake or nearby. Mike loved working on projects in the yard and house. He has a flourishing vegetable garden in town and also enjoyed helping his mother with her garden. Mike tended to be the chef of the group and loved trying new recipes.
Mike has an extensive network of loving family and friends. Mike was the type of person that could carry on a conversation with anyone about anything, with a genuine interest.
Funeral service Monday, August 7th, at 4 PM: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4100 Lyndale Ave South, with visitation one hour prior. Livestream: 8/7/2023 - Funeral Service for Michael Braun - 4:00 pm - Minneapolis - YouTube
Celebration of Life Tuesday, August 8th at 6 PM: 5608 Interlachen Blvd, Edina. Please carpool, Uber, and park across the street, as parking will be at a premium. Everyone has been asking, “What can I do for you…?” Please bring an appetizer. This gathering will be a celebration of Mike’s life. There will be a time to share stories and memories, so bring some good ones. Wear a Hawaiian shirt if you have one.
The family has been amazed by the outpouring of support. Tell your loved ones you love them!!! Life is short.
Gill Brothers 612-861-6088
www.gillbrothers.com
Service will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNn3pdo_DWo
4/17/1961-8/1/2023
Age 62 of Edina. Preceded in death by father, Ralph. Survived by wife, Constance (Connie); children, Sarah (Matthew) Hanson, Nathan, and Rebecca; mother, Mary Braun; siblings, Joseph (Ann Rinehart), Teresa (Mark) Murray, and Thomas (Karen Moeller); nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Mike was a proud lifelong Edina Hornet and built many long-lasting relationships through sports. He played hockey and was the State Pole Vault Champion. He maintained special friendships with 4 of his classmates and all of their families, “The Cabinheads,” have gathered twice a year in northern WI for the last 26 years. The “Cabinhead boys” also met twice a year for weeklong fishing and hunting trips.
Mike majored in Fine Art at St. Olaf College, specializing in watercolor paintings. He met his wife Connie during their Global Semester trip from 1982-1983. They traveled around the world for 5 months with a group of students, “Globalites,” and two academic advisors. This trip forged lifelong friendships and solidified a love of travel. The group met in June 2023 for a 40th-year reunion.
Connie and Mike were married in 1985 and were due to celebrate their 38th wedding anniversary on August 10th. They initially lived in Linden Hills and then moved to Edina, where they raised their three children, Sarah, Nate, and Becca. Mike worked at Campbell-Mithun for 10 years as an Art Director and loved his work. He then transitioned to running his own business, Michael Braun Advertising and Design. Toward the end of his career, he focused mainly on photography.
Mike coached his children in hockey and developed a new set of friends, the hockey parents, “Team Orange.” He also played in a weekly hockey league (FMHL-Friday Morning Hockey League). He was just starting to get into Pickleball in Crosslake.
He loved to travel, and the family camped in many National Parks when the children were young. Once they were adults, they enjoyed foreign travels, including trips to Vietnam, Ireland, and Puerto Rico. He loved to ski downhill in CO and enjoyed yearly family trips to Florida. Mike was a travel planner extraordinaire.
He loved family time. Both the Braun and Halling families are large and close-knit; fortunately, most live in the Twin Cities area.
In 2016 Mike and Connie bought their dream cabin on West Fox Lake in Fifty Lakes, MN. Many of their closest friends have cabins on the same lake or nearby. Mike loved working on projects in the yard and house. He has a flourishing vegetable garden in town and also enjoyed helping his mother with her garden. Mike tended to be the chef of the group and loved trying new recipes.
Mike has an extensive network of loving family and friends. Mike was the type of person that could carry on a conversation with anyone about anything, with a genuine interest.
Funeral service Monday, August 7th, at 4 PM: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4100 Lyndale Ave South, with visitation one hour prior. Livestream: 8/7/2023 - Funeral Service for Michael Braun - 4:00 pm - Minneapolis - YouTube
Celebration of Life Tuesday, August 8th at 6 PM: 5608 Interlachen Blvd, Edina. Please carpool, Uber, and park across the street, as parking will be at a premium. Everyone has been asking, “What can I do for you…?” Please bring an appetizer. This gathering will be a celebration of Mike’s life. There will be a time to share stories and memories, so bring some good ones. Wear a Hawaiian shirt if you have one.
The family has been amazed by the outpouring of support. Tell your loved ones you love them!!! Life is short.
Gill Brothers 612-861-6088
www.gillbrothers.com
Service will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNn3pdo_DWo