Dorothy Virginia Braun

Dorothy Virginia Braun, aged 86, died quietly and peacefully of natural causes in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 21st, 2012, at Saint John´s On the Lake in Milwaukee. She was born in Phelps, Vilas County, Wisconsin, in 1925, daughter of Arthur (who worked as a blacksmith and subsistence farmer) and Lillian (who was a housewife).

Dorothy attended the Milwaukee Normal School – State Teacher´s College (UWM´s predecessor) on a merit scholarship she received from the State of Wisconsin for being salutatorian in her high school class. She graduated in 1947 with a degree in education, and began teaching English and history in various Wisconsin school districts, including Menomonee Falls and Luxemburg. In 1951 she received a year-long Ford Foundation fellowship to study the inner-workings of UNESCO in Paris and Geneva. Upon return, she joined Milwaukee Public Schools and taught at Washington and Vincent high schools. In 1972 she took a year´s sabbatical to earn a master´s degree in French from UWM, and subsequently taught that language until her retirement in 1984.

Dorothy was very passionate about travel, and despite a very modest teacher´s salary, managed to visit far distant places like China, India, South Africa, Russia, Turkey, Israel, Australia, Europe and South America. She spoke French and Spanish fluently and could converse in German. She was also a great music-lover and a good pianist, and enjoyed listening to great choral works. She loved the outdoors and frequently joined groups devoted to the study of botany and ornithology. She would never tire of admiring tall trees and birds. She was also very fun-loving and had an extraordinary sense of humor.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her father Arthur, mother Lillian and stepfather Elmer, long-time companions Ralph and Arvid, brother Roland (Mary); sister Marilyn (Don), and friend Ann.

She is survived by adopted son Harold; first-cousin Dolly; niece Susan(Greg); niece Marianne (Neil); grand-nephews Joe and Mickey; other relatives; friend Barbara (Cliff); friend Boris; former students and colleagues, former and current neighbors, and other friends. Deep and special gratitude to everyone at Windsor Court, Saint John´s On the Lake, for superb care and companionship over the last 2 ½ years.

Following Dorothy’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. A memorial gathering will be planned at a later date. Anyone wishing to honor her memory is kindly suggested, in lieu of flowers, to send a monetary contribution in any amount to Saint John’s On the Lake, 1860 N. Prospect Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202, or to any other charity of choice.