Wilma Marie Braun, 93, Hays, died Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at Via Christi Village in Hays.
She was born July 5, 1932 on the family farm near Antonino, Kansas the daughter of Nick and Philomena (Rohr) Klaus. She graduated from Girls Catholic High School and on August 9, 1954 she was united in marriage to Gerald 'Gerry' Braun at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in Antonino, a union spanning nearly 60 years before he preceded her in death on June 25, 2014. Wilma began a career as a Radiologic Technologist in 1953 and retired from Hays Orthopedic Clinic in 1996.
She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, the VFW Auxiliary, and was a member of the Daughters of Isabella Circle #254 for over 50 years. Her volunteering at her church included the Art and Environment Committee, the IHM Building Committee, and she was a sacristan, Eucharistic minister, and religious education teacher. Wilma was also a Eucharistic adorer and did volunteer service at Via Christi Village, Hays Good Samaritan Society, the Sunflower Chapter of the Historical Society of Germans from Russia, and made greeting cards for the Mary Elizabeth Home. She especially enjoyed ceramics, crocheting, embroidery, quilting, gardening, and calligraphy. She also sewed many beautiful banners and baptismal gowns for her church.
Wilma’s survivors include her son Jim Braun and wife Debbie and her daughter Joann Werth and husband LeRoy Jr., all of Hays, a brother Eugene Klaus and wife Irma of Mulvane, two sisters-in-law Delores McMillin of Hays and Linda Braun of Wichita, seven grandchildren Renae Unrein (Lance) of Wichita, Jason Braun of San Luis Obispo, CA, Andrea Penner (Brendon) of Haven, Gavin Braun (Kelby) of Hutchinson, Peyton Werth of Hays, Ericka Hammons of Nashville, TN, and Ashley Begler (Aaron) of Hays, 14 great grandchildren Macy and Miley Unrein, Harlow and Beckett Penner, Zoey, Quin, and Dean Braun, Bryce, Clay, and Emma Hammons, Kaycie Kennedy, and Kenzee, Naylee, and Tesla Begler.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gerry, by four brothers Marvin (Mary Francis) Klaus, Edwin (Laura) Klaus, Robert Klaus, and Norman (Marilyn) Klaus, by two infant sisters Edna Klaus and Mary Ellen Klaus, and by two brothers-in-law Don Braun and John McMillin.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Hays, with Fr. Don Zimmerman officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, December 26 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 and on Saturday from 9:00 am until 9:45 all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A combined Daughters of Isabella and VFW Auxiliary rosary will be at 5:30 pm and a vigil service will be at 6:30, both on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com.