Ms. Valera Cecilia Braun

9-2-1928 – 2-4-2026

Born in Ipswich, South Dakota to Herman and Susan Heinz. After a long and cherished life, she passed away in Fontana, CA.

She was the last living sibling in the family of 10. Valera grew up in Ipswich on the family farm. Moved to Aberdeen, SD then followed her soon to be husband to California. Valera married the love of her life, Steve Braun, on June 12, 1950 at St. Joseph's Church, in Hawthorne, CA. Steve and Valera made their home in Hawthorne for almost 70 years and had 4 children: Gary, Diane (Ron) Delisle, Julie (Roger) Morrissey and Craig (Donna) Braun.

They have 10 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 12 great, great grandchildren.

Valera had many jobs in life: wife, mother, grandmother, GG, homemaker, bookkeeper and retiree. In retirement, she found hobbies such as traveling, ceramics, line dancing, water aerobics, running, and weekly workouts. She also found time to volunteer at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and Hawthorne Women’s Club.

She loved the LA Dodgers and relished watching her grand and great-grandchildren play baseball from Little League through college.

She had a heart overflowing with love and affection for everyone she knew. She lived a prosperous life with the love of her faith, family and friends. She will be missed by many.

In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting a memorial donation to Auxiliary Post 2075, Attn: Treasurer, 4563 W. 131st St., Hawthorne, CA 90250.

Funeral services will be held at St. Joseph’s Church in Hawthorne, CA on Friday, 2-13-26 at 10:30 am. Burial services will be private.