Pike Township Family Stories
VIRGIL AND DONNA BRAUN
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, page 274-275.
By Donna Owen BraunVirgil Lee Braun and Donna Kay Owen were married at Spangler Chapel Methodist church in Muscatine. Virgil Braun, the son of Harry Lee Braun and Felicitas Theresa Mills Braun, was born in Muscatine. His sisters are Shirley Mae Braun Plumb and Marilyn Jean Braun Baxter. He was a member of the Pike Plucky Pikers 4-H club. He graduated from Nichols High school, where he participated in band, basketball, baseball and glee club. He is the fourth generation of Brauns to farm the land his great grandfather Conrad Braun bought in 1868 after returning home from the Civil war. Virgil served eight years in the Army Reserves while helping his father farm.
Donna Owen Braun is a daughter of Warren Walter Owen and Roberta Alice Todd Owen. She was born in Washington, Iowa. Her parents reside in Muscatine. Her sister, Alice Patricia Owen Schmidt lives in rural Stockton, Iowa. Patricia Owen Schmidt lives in rural Stockton, Iowa. Donna graduated from Muscatine High school.
Virgil and Donna are parents of four children: Teresa Kay Braun, Douglas Lee Braun, Victor Warren Braun and Rita Renae Braun.
Teresa Kay Braun was born in Iowa City. She was a member of Pike Peppy Pals 40H club. She served on the Muscatine county 4- H council and served as girls county president one year. She was a member of chorus, FHA and Y-Teens, a member of the newspaper staff and co-editor of the school paper for two years. She graduated from West Liberty High school and from Sharon Doran’s Beauty academy of Iowa City. She married John Leo Kessler at the West Liberty United Methodist church. He is the son of Laurence Kessler and Leona Kessler. John works for DuPont and they have lived in various parts of the world during his employment.
Douglas Lee Braun was born in Iowa City. He lives in rural West Liberty and farms near Muscatine and works as a welder at McCrabb Manufacturing. He graduated from West Liberty High school and married Cindy Kurth.
Victor Warren Braun was born in Iowa City. He graduated from West Liberty High school in 1982. He was married to Marie Margaret Huiser, daughter of Barbara Huiser and Bill Huiser at the Nichols United Methodist church. They have a son, Joshua Mathew Braun, born at Iowa City.
Rita Renae Braun was born in Iowa City. She was a member of Pike Peppy Pals 4-H club. She is a graduate of West Liberty High school. She married Duane Gerot and later they divorced.
Everyone in the family is a member of the Nichols United Methodist church. Virgil has served as a trustee and a member of the Church board. Donna has been a member of the Board and a member and officer of United Methodist Women. She was also a leader of Pike Peppy Pals 4-H club.
The children all participated in basketball in high school: Teresa for one year, Doug for four years, Vic for one year and Rita for two years. Doug and Vic were members of FFA and Pike Plucky Pikers 4-H club. Doug played baseball for one year; Rita played softball for four years.
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