Mildred "Milli" Braun

Mildred (“Milli”) Braun was surrounded by family when she passed away peacefully on January 2, 2022, at the age of 93.  She was born on June 23, 1928, in Wichita Falls, Texas, as the only child of Alice Braddy and Pete Lair.  She spent her early years raised on her grandmother’s farm in the great plains of Oklahoma during the Great Depression while her mother worked in a nearby town.  She was forever inspired by her grandmother’s unshakeable Catholic faith who refused to renounce her Catholicism when Ku Klux Klan members showed up on horseback one night in their robes and hoods and burned down her grandmother’s home because she was Catholic.  A few weeks later Milli was living in a tent with her grandmother on the farm when the Klan returned, again trying to intimidate them.  Rather than renouncing her faith, this time her grandmother came out of the tent with a loaded shotgun pointed at them and said “I am still Catholic so let me know who has a problem with that and I will shoot them first!”

Alice and Milli moved a few years later to Morgantown, Indiana when her loving stepfather, John G. Thomasson, was transferred by the Army to Camp Atterbury.  Milli graduated from Morgantown High School in 1947 and worked for Eli Lilly & Company.  She married the love of her life, the late Richard “Dick” Braun, on July 12, 1950, and their marriage lasted for nearly 60 years until his passing in April 2010.  She often told the story that having grown up as an only child she wanted a full house of her own and, after watching the 1950 movie “Cheaper By The Dozen”, she and Dad decided, with lots of prayers, to follow suit.  As a result, life was quite busy and hectic as they had 12 children over the next 15 years.  Milli is survived by all 12 of her children and their current spouses or significant others: Kelly (Lee) Schopmeyer, Mark (the late Marilyn Gault), Rick (Marge Carr), Nancy (Johnny Cross), Matt (Benita Pauley), Chris (Trish Dionisio), Nick (Kathy Mudica), Drew, Mary (Jeff) Heller, Thom, Tricia (Andy) Fox, and Paul (Heather Dennis); 58 grandchildren and spouses and 50 great-grandchildren and spouses.

Milli was an unassuming yet powerful role model who led by example.  Despite the daily chaos that comes with a large, active family, Milli regularly found peace and fulfillment in her Catholic faith, her marriage and her children.  She had a keen sense of humor and was incredibly generous, kind and selfless.  Throughout her life she displayed tremendous grace, unending patience and a genuine appreciation for the blessings of each day.  Her homes were always full and filled with much love and laughter.  Milli always made time for anyone who needed it and well into her 90’s she would have a pot of coffee and a hot meal ready for anyone who stopped by to visit her.  She was proud to have been elected to the Mt. Vernon School Board, where she was the first woman elected to that Board and where she served with distinction for several years.  She later worked as a nurse’s aide for many years at Belzer Junior High School.  As they moved over the years Milli always stayed active in the various parishes and served the Church in a variety of roles.

While everyone participated in taking care of Milli, the family would especially like to thank Kelly Schopmeyer, Mark Braun and Nancy Braun who served as Milli’s primary caregivers these past several years and who provided exceptional care, love and support for her.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Flanner Buchanan-Carmel located at 325 East Carmel Drive, Carmel, Indiana.  A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on January 6, 2022 at St. Simon the Apostle Catholic Church, followed by a private burial service for the immediate family at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery.  Memorial contributions made by made in Milli’s name to Blessed Pope John XXIII Church in Fort Myers, Florida.

Please visit flannerbuchanan.com to sign the online guest register.