Kenneth Brau

Kenneth Brau

Kenneth BrauKenneth “Kenny” LaVerne Brau age 72 of Osage, formerly of Lucan, passed away Friday, March 27, 2015 at the Fargo VA Health Care System surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12:00 noon Wednesday, April 1 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Lucan. Visitation is from 10:00-12:00 Wednesday at the church. Burial is in the church cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home in Redwood Falls is assisting the family with arrangements.

Kenneth LaVerne Brau was born August 18, 1942 in Redwood Falls, Minnesota to Otto and Caroline (Gorres) Brau. He was born, baptized, and confirmed into the Roman Catholic faith. Kenny graduated from Wabasso High School in 1960. He married Candace Reagan in Amarillo, TX in November 1962. Kenny entered the US Air Force in 1962 and was stationed in England. He was honorably discharged in 1964. Kenny returned to the United States and then married Nancy Seeman on April 16, 1966 in Jasper, MN. He worked with International Harvester and Case International from 1965-2008. Kenny worked in sales for 43 years ending his career at Miller Sellner Equipment in Bingham Lake. He lived in Inver Grove Heights, Crookston, and Windom before retiring to Shell Lake, Osage, MN. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, dog breeding, whittling, building, storytelling, writing, and time with his family. Kenny’s greatest achievement was leaving his lake home to his children and grandchildren. He proudly built the lake home with his two hands…because he always complained he “only had two hands!” Kenny always said he graduated from the school of Hard Knox and then he attended the University of Adversity. He had many obstacles to overcome in his life but he always found a way to make it come out beautiful in the end. Kenny was a hard worker and instilled that work ethic and pride of workmanship to his children. He met new people and within moments became friends. They came away with life’s knowledge and lessons from a wise man. The footprints he left will be in all our hearts. Kenny made you believe in yourself and gave you confidence. People knew Kenny to be a strong minded person and yet showed his empathy and emotions generously.

Kenneth Brau is survived by his loving wife Nancy of 49 years; children: Michelle (Tim) Skime of Roseau, Terri (Rob) Hawkins of Coon Rapids, and Shawn Brau of Osage; grandchildren: Nicholas, Eric, Ryan (Sarah), Tyler, Jordan, Sammie Jo, and Trevor; siblings: Charles “Bud” (Norma) Brau, LaVonne (Kenny) Portner, and Audrey Portner; his faithful dog Neeka; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Otto and Caroline, loving wife Candace Brau, and brother-in-law Charles Portner. Special thanks to the VA of Fargo, ND for their compassionate care. “Love one another”.

26 thoughts on “Kenneth Brau”

  1. Lance and Karen Lundsten

    Ken was our friend. Too soon gone home to his reward. Farewell old fishing and hunting partner.

  2. Neighbors by chance, friends by choice. A lot of good times shared. Holding the family in our thoughts and prayers.

  3. Lori Needham Bakker

    I just wanted you to know, Mikki and Terri (and all who love you) , that you are surrounded with prayer. Not just from those who are able to comfort you now, but from those of us farther away. May you feel God’s loving arms wrapped around you now and always. May your dad rest in peace and rise in glory.

    Lori

  4. Our love goes out to the family and we look forward to hugging you all when we celebrate Ken’s life Wednesday. Rest In Peace Kenny and may God provide comfort and love to his family and friends.

  5. Grandpa was a great man! Full of silly and knowledgable moments! Celebrate his life for me :). I’m there in spirit as he will be in all our hearts 🙂

  6. My thoughts and prayers to Nancy , Michelle, Terri and Shaun and families in this time of sorrow . May the many fond memories fill your hearts at this time . Ken will be missed but never forgotten !

  7. My thoughts are with all of you. I pray that you find peace and happiness as you prepare for the celebration of his life. As you laugh and cry looking back on all of the memories that you’ve shared, know that he is by your side and smiling with all of you. Feel the warmth of his laughter and the love his hug. Love you all.

  8. Darlene Portner

    So sorry to hear about the death of your brother, Ken. We didn’t know him, but sounds like he was quite the guy.
    May he rest in peace.
    Dave and Darlene

  9. Kenny (Grandpa Brau) was obviously a beautiful, strong, amazing man, and although our encounter was all too brief, I believe our paths were destined to cross, and will cross again some day. Until then, he will live on in memories and in the strengths, beauty, and love he fostered and passed on to his children, grandchildren, and others he met. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

  10. We have been friends with Kenny and Nancy since 1974 through our first of his puppies. Keeping in touch became easier with facebook and email. Kenny convinced my husband Bill he was retiring from breeding and we HAD to have another in 2005 – so we drove back to pick one up. It rode the 1000 miles back on my husband’s lap, and then forever thought that was her spot, including sleeping between his legs at night on our bed, even after she was full grown. Kenny was so supportive and kind when Bill suddenly died in 2007. A kind man with such a big heart. My heart goes out to Nancy. I will keep you in my prayers as you face this journey. Nancy Huber, Florence, Colorado

  11. emil and carolyn trnka

    To the Brau Family,Please accept our condolences. Kenny was a great guy. Bought a shorthair puppy from him while we were both in Crookston in the early ninties. Used to visit him at Miller-Sellner at Bigham Lake,when he and Nancy lived near Windom. we will keep you all in our prayers.

  12. Emil and Carolyn Trnka

    Kenny was a wonderful always a joker. When we lived in Crookston,Ipurchased a shorthair puppy from Ken. I believe daughter Terry worked with Carolyn at Villa St. Vincent. Used to visit Ken at Miller-Sellner in Bingham Lake when in the fall Iwas either pheasant hunting or helping my brotherinlaw on the farm out of Jeffers. Our prayers are to the Brau family at this time of sorrow.

  13. Denny and Dee Myerchin

    So sorry to hear of Ken’s death. Our sympathy, thoughts and prayers Nancy, Mikki, Terry, Shaun and your families. Although it’s been years since we’ve seen you, our memories are many of each of you. Special hugs to each of you.

  14. Betty Schaffran Otsea

    Ken was an easy-going classmate at Wabasso where we graduated in 1960. We are organizing our 55th class reunion in Wabasso May 21st. Ken will certainly be warmly remembered there. My sympathy to his family.

  15. Ron and Lori Leach

    We are very sad to hear about Kenny’s passing. We were fortunate to get to know Kenny and Nancy when we raised shorthairs. Kenny knew so much about the breed and loved to share his experience and knowledge with us. He was so kind and friendly. Loved his laugh….. Rest in peace, Kenny. May there be lots of shorthairs in heaven. Ron and Lori Leach

  16. Donna Maher/Chuck Medeiros

    We will miss Ken dearly. We only knew him a few short years but enjoyed his company and whit. Nancy, Mikki, Teri & Shawn we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

  17. My thoughts and prayers are with Kenny’s family. I knew him for less than 2 weeks but learned lessons from him that I will never forget. There have been many staff members at the VA missing Kenny and his family this week!

  18. Owe great philosopher and connoisseur of the debate, I will miss you greatly. We all never had to wonder what you were thinking because of your unique ability to be direct and concise, …. ok concise might be a stretch, however there is no doubt you are worthy of the highest admiration for being a beautiful man. Always leading by example, working hard, helping others, and doing so with a fierce loyalty to friends and family alike. You are truly one of the last of a dying breed. The world was a better place because “Kenny” was in it. A man with hands like leather and a heart of gold, thank you for being a friend and mentor to us all.

  19. So sorry to hear the news Nancy ~ Got to know you both so well during the home selling process. Ken was a tough negotiator for sure! He & I had our times of “disagreements”, but we always came out laughing in the end, usually with him saying “Take it easy Kid”… My heart hurts for you today as you say Goodbye. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family today

  20. April 4, 2015
    Saddened to hear of my old roommates passing. We were school mates in Lucan and later roomed together in Mpls. in 1965/66 after we got out of the USAF. As it seems to always happen we loose touch with friends and when we do connect again its to late. Kenny was always a friend I could count on during those years and I can see he never changed.
    My condolences to you Nancy.

  21. Nancy, just wanted to let you know that everyone who is still at the Good Samaritan here in Windom has you in their thoughts and prayers.

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