Lonnie Brauner, Sr.

He is survived by son Lonnie, Jr. and wife Sharon of the Woodlands, TX; brother-in-law Harold Eikenhorst; sisters-in-law, Ruby Mae Kettler and Gladys Brauner of Brenham; grandchildren Chris Brauner (Helen) of Austin, Ann Marie Dedominick (Greg) of Tampa and Jon Paul Martin of San Antonio; great grandchildren, Ellie Brauner, Austin and Jaden Martin, Zakary Dedominick, along with several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Viola, his parents, Robert and Emma Brauner, a brother, Edwin Brauner, and sisters Selma Schuermann and Rosa Lee Kokemoor.

Lonnie was born on May 2, 1922 in Hoddeville, near Brenham, to Robert and Emma Brauner. He attended school in Hoddeville. He married the love of his life, Viola Kettler, on May 28, 1944, First Lutheran Church in Shreveport, LA. During WW II, he was a radio operator/gunner on the B-26 Marauder, flying 38 combat missions over Germany. After returning from the war, he and Viola lived in Paris, Texas, while Lonnie attended horology (watchmaker) school. In 1946 they moved to Killeen with newborn son Lonnie Jr., where they began attending Immanuel Lutheran Church. He and Viola worked together for 40 years in their Watch Repair shop on Fort Hood. They enjoyed fishing, boating and camping together. Although he grew up in another time, he embraced technology and liked to get on his computer, email, text, look at family pictures and websites.

He kept in great physical shape, walking 2 miles a day at 91! Lonnie was a true gentleman with a kind and gentle manner. He was a loyal friend and a great man who was loved and will be missed by his family, neighbors and fellow church members.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church Building Fund in his name.

The Brauner family will receive guests for a time of visitation from 4-6 PM on Sunday, December 22, 2013 at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM on Monday, December 23, 2013 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Killeen. Burial will follow in the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.