Kenneth R. "Ken" Braun

Kenneth R. “Ken” Braun

Kenneth R “Ken” Braun, 87, Hays, died Sunday, March 6, 2022 at Via Christi Village.

He was born April 18, 1934 in Victoria, the son of Edmund J. and Philomena “Minnie” (Rohr) Braun.  In 1952 he graduated from Victoria Rural High School.  He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Fort Hays State University in 1956.  That same year he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving in Korea in the Army Audit Agency until 1958.  He then attended Kansas State University, majoring in accounting.  Ken was a Certified Public Accountant and loved his work.  On April 3, 1960 he was united in marriage to Mary A. Vodicka in Omaha, Nebraska.  She preceded him in death on November 8, 1996.  On June 30, 2000 he was united in marriage to Yvonne (Brungardt) Rohleder in Victoria.  He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #6984, St. Fidelis Fourth Degree Assembly #305, and the Hays VFW Post #9076.  Ken was active in the community, serving on numerous public, business, and charitable organizations, including Thomas More Prep-Marian High School as Chairman of the Board and the TMP Foundation.  He enjoyed dancing, singing, woodworking, fishing, and watching sports. 

Survivors include his wife Yvonne of Hays, four sons: Tom Braun and wife Anita of Addison, TX, Steve Braun and wife Susan of Overland Park, Kevin Braun and wife Dana of Westlake, TX, and Chris Braun and wife Missy of Andover, nine step-children: Kathy Mead and husband Steven of Santa Fe, NM, Lisa Lang and husband Tim, Cheryl Rohleder, and Craig Rohleder and wife Beth, all of Hays, Niel Rohleder and wife Roberta of Pahrump, NV, Eric Rohleder and wife Casey of Topeka, Ann Noble and husband Warren, Kent Rohleder, and Scott Rohleder and wife Cari, all of Hays, one sister: Cora Schulte of Victoria, eight grandchildren: Eric Braun and wife Elizabeth, Isaac Braun and wife Maddy, Emery Braun, Jacob Braun, Taylor Pearson and husband Connor, Morgan Braun, Chance Braun, and Max Braun, one great granddaughter: Oslo Pearson, 21 step grandchildren, 13 step great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary, and his brother Everett Braun.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2:00 pm on Thursday, March 10, 2022 at the Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria.  Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays.  Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Wednesday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 1:00 pm until service time on Thursday at the Basilica.  A vigil service will be at 6:30 pm followed by a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus rosary, all on Wednesday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to TMP-Marian High School or the Basilica of St. Fidelis.  Condolences and memories of Ken may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

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