Alexander (Al) Braun

Alexander “Al” Braun, 87, of Topeka, passed away January 11, 2011 at his home.

He was born July 10, 1923 in Wernersdorf the Ukraine the son of Peter and Katharina (Braeul) Braun.  After World War II, Mr. Braun like millions of people, fled from the former Soviet Union west.  Eventually he immigrated to Canada (1949) on contract with the Canadian Government, to work as a miner in Northern Quebec.  After years of persistent attempts, in 1953 he was able to come to the United States from Kitchener, Ontario Canada to join his wife and her parents in Kansas.  They also were WW II refugees from the same general region of the world.

Al worked in auto body repair.  He later was employed by KNI and the State of Kansas as a Master Electrician before he retired on June 1, 1991.

He was one of the founding members of Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Christian Church.  Al was also a member of the United States Chess Federation, Topeka Chess Club and AARP.

He was married to Valentine Lange on April 29, 1951 in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.  She preceded him in death on October 23, 2000.  A daughter Nancy Diana Braun also preceded him in death on January 30, 1955.

Survivors include two brothers, Peter Braun of Kitchener, Ontario and Herman Braun of Edmonton, Alberta, a sister Lucy Braun of New Hamburg, Ontario and a nephew Peter Braun of Edmonton, Alberta.

The family and friends will gather from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, January 16th at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home where Trisagion Prayers of Mercy will be conducted at 3:30 p.m.  The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 17th at Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Christian Church.  Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Christian Church, sent in care of the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka 66603.

Online condolences to www.brennanmathenafh.com.