Johanna Alice Braun

November 13, 1934 – October 23, 2025

Johanna was the eighth of nine children born to Mennonite parents, Jacob and Maria Krause, in the small Canadian farming town of Yarrow, British Columbia.

After completing primary and secondary school, Johanna attended a local bible college. She served for 2 years as a volunteer for Mennonite Central Committee, a worldwide relief organization. She bravely traveled across Canada, then into the US, by train to the headquarters in Akron, Pennsylvania.

It was during this time of voluntary service that Johanna met the love of her life, Donald Braun, who was doing alternative service in Akron and Baltimore, as a conscientious objector. They were married in August 1956, living first in Newton, Kansas, then in Fresno, California, where Donald began a teaching career in Chemistry at Pacific College (now Fresno Pacific University).

Donald and Johanna were blessed with 2 children, Randall Lee and Denise Joanne. Johanna was a great mom to her kids and a selfless servant to her local congregation, Butler Mennonite Brethren Church. She loved to cook !! She prepared countless meals at home and in Butler’s church kitchen.

When Donald retired from teaching, they traveled around the world, with Holland America Line Cruises. In 2003, they participated in an unforgettable Mennonite Heritage Tour to Ukraine, the birthplace of their Mennonite ancestors.

When Donald passed away in August 2016, they had been married for 60 years. Johanna missed Donald greatly. The last 5 years of her life were spent at Palm Village in Reedley, California.

Johanna was preceded in death by her parents, husband Donald, son Randall, and by 7 of her siblings. She is survived by daughter Denise and many nieces and nephews.