LeMars Sentinel, December 25, 1917

MRS. BRAUN IS DEAD
DECEASED HAD LIVED HERE ALL
HER LIFE

SUFFERED THROUGH LONG ILLNESS

Had Been in Ill Health For Two Years
and End Was Hastened by Tragic
Fate of Her Stepdaughter, Alta
Braun, Last August.

Mrs. Chris Braun died at the home of her father, Siefke Bohlken, in the east part of town, Sunday evening, after an illness of almost two years duration. Mrs. Braun was stricken with paralysis in March, 1916, and has been practically helpless ever since. Last summer she seemed to improve somewhat but after the tragic death of her stepdaughter, she failed so rapidly she was removed to the home of her father where she might be better cared for by relatives.

Martha Braun was born in Plymouth County on January 20, 1877 (NOTE: correct year is 1879), being 38 years, 11 months and three days old. In 1902 her Mother died and from that time she was a home maker for her father and took the place of a mother for the younger children. On December 7, 1910, she was married to Chris Braun, and to them a daughter was born, who is now three years old. In addition to the husband, daughter and father , she leaves to mourn her loss five brothers and five sisters. The brothers are John Bohlken, of Ireton; Dick, Will and George of Akron, and Albert, of LeMars. Her sisters, Mrs. Ed Alrich and Lydia Bohlken of LeMars; Mrs. G. Luschen, of Pipestone, Minn.; Mrs. M. Gabel, of Akron, and Mrs. Will Gaudian, of Sioux City. One brother died in infancy and a brother, Henry, in 1908.

The funeral services will be held on Wednesday afternoon at 1:30, at the house, and at 2 o'clock at the German Methodist church, of which she was a member. Rev. Benz will be in charge of the service which will be largely in English.
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Family Note: While researching church baptism records at Christ Lutheran Church, a baptism record was found for her with the name, Wilhelmine Magdaline Bohlken. Leaving her name as Martha will insure that anyone searching for her will find her. She was known by her family and friends only as Martha.
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