Kathleen Braun

Kathleen Marie (O’Donnell) Braun, age 81, passed away onWednesday, July 1, 2026. Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on January 4, 1945, to James and Geneva (Welter) O’Donnell, Kathleen spent her life being unapologetically herself. If you knew Kathleen, you knew she was always eager to spend time with family and friends, travel the world, enjoy some music, or just read stacks and stacks of books. She was never at a loss to offer advice or her opinion and, above all else, felt compelled to do the right thing when it mattered most.

Having taught English at Marion High School for twenty-one years and retiring in 2009, Kathleen was also active in charities, political activism, and foster care, where she worked and opened her home to many foster children.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Julia (Glenn); and step-great-grandchild, Mikaela Collins. We are certain their reunion involves a lot of catching up and Kathleen immediately taking charge of the conversation.

Kathleen had many remarkable skills, traits, and talents, which, due to word count constraints, are too numerous to list here. Suffice to say that chief among them was the uncanny and unassailable tendency to ALWAYS be right… so just shut up, shut up, shut up, OK?!!

She leaves behind a family that is much quieter now that she’s gone, including her husband of 60 years, Lawrence Braun; sons, Charles (Dona) and Christopher (Treesa); grandchildren, Simonne, Nick, Jacob, Lucius, Beatrice, Hollyanne, Brycen, and Hunter; siblings, Mary (Dick), Margaret (Bill), Patricia (Michael), and James (Ruth); along with a treasure trove of nieces, nephews, and friends whom she loved fiercely (and corrected often).

We will be gathering to toast her memory at a later date. Bring your best stories, your thickest skin, and a favorite memory of a woman who was truly one of a kind. Casual attire is highly encouraged, as Kathleen wouldn’t want you making a fuss on her account.