Allen B. Braun

Allen "Al" B. Braun, 63 of Cedar Rapids, NE, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, March 21, 2021 at his mother's home in Columbus, NE.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:30 a.m., Saturday, March 27, 2021 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, NE with Rev. Mark Tomasiewicz officiating.  Interment will follow at St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, NE. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, with a 7:00 p.m. wake service. There will be a video of Allen's service on his page at www.levanderfuneralhome.com later Saturday.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Cedar Rapids Volunteer Fire Department.  Memorial checks may be made payable to Cedar Rapids Fire Department and sent to: Allen Braun Memorial, c/o Ed Braun , 2040 360th Street, Cedar Rapids, NE  68627.

Levander Funeral Home of Cedar Rapids, NE is in charge of the arrangements.

Allen Bernard Braun, son of George and Marcella "Sally" (Glaser) Braun was born October 31, 1957 at Fullerton, NE. He attended elementary school at St. Anthony's Catholic School and graduated from Cedar Rapids Public School in 1976. During school, Al discovered a hobby of woodworking, and the wooden roll-top desk he made was sent to Connecticut where he was awarded the "Golden Hammer". His love for woodworking lasted throughout his life as he created many beautiful furniture pieces.

Following graduation, Al continued farming on the family farm. Al loved every aspect of farming and he especially enjoyed sharing his love of farming with his nieces and nephews as they were growing up. Al was an active member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church serving as lector and usher for many years. He was a volunteer on the Cedar Rapids Fire Department and served as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Rural Fire Board. Al felt very strongly about blood donation and advocated for everyone to become blood donors. Al received his 19 gallon donation pin.

Al had a phenomenal memory and he never met a stranger. Upon meeting someone new, he would quickly learn your name, occupation and family tree! Al enjoyed Sunday road-trips to places such as the Henry Doorly Zoo, the Stuhr Museum, and the Durham Museum. He would return home to tell a story about who he had met and what he had seen that day. He would never forget a name or a date, something that stayed with him until his passing.

Al's family will remember him as son and brother who was always willing to drop everything to help out. He was a "straight shooter" who would tell it like it was. And he was the best guy any of us have known.

Allen is survived by his mother, Marcella "Sally" Braun of Columbus, NE; siblings Ed (Linda) Braun of Cedar Rapids, NE; Peggy (Terry) Wojcik of Columbus, NE; Dan Braun of Belgrade, NE; Gary (Barb) Braun of Minden, NE; Annette (Andy) Borer of Columbus, NE; Dave (Jerrae) Braun of Wayne, NE; and Sharon (Tim) Comstock of Omaha, NE. He is survived by his nieces and nephews: Eric (Jennifer) Braun & Family; Justin (Melissa) Braun & Family, Brian (Meg) Braun, Brandon (Connie) Braun & Family, Lissa Braun & Family, Georgia Braun, Christopher (Melissa) Braun & Family, Jessica (Chris) Schidler & Family, Sophia (Kodee) Dunfee, Mary Braun, Catherine Braun, Calvin Borer, Valerie (Dyllan) Coop, Lance Borer, Zac (Tessa) Braun & Family, Lauryn (Dalton) Dunklau, Ben (Samantha) Braun & Family, Noah Braun, Isaac Braun, and Toby Braun.

Allen is preceded in death by his father, George; his infant brother, Dean; and his grandparents: Bernard and Anna (Kraus) Braun and Martin and Gertrude (Krick) Glaser.