Clarence S. "Steve" Braun

Mandan – Clarence Stephen (Steve) Braun, 80, passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife, Joan at his side on February 27, 2024, following a recent diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Steve and Joan showed their children and grandchildren the embodiment of strength and grace during this difficult time. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am, Monday, July 1^st at Pro-Cathedral of St. Mary in Bismarck with burial at the ND Veteran’s Cemetery at 2pm. A vistation will be held at Parkway Funeral Home on June 30^th from 2-4pm.  A rosary/vigil service will begin at 3pm.

  Steve was born on the family farm near Killdeer, ND on June 23, 1943. Being one of nine, he was the 6^th son of Louis and Katherine Braun. Louis died suddenly of a heart attack at age 42 when Steve was eleven years old. Katherine was a very strong and dedicated woman, but times were tough. Steve felt honored when his grandson Clay said to him one day, “Grandpa, I know that your childhood was filled with poverty and challenges, but you never let it negatively define your life.”

Graduating from high school in 1961, he was a three-sport athlete who won gold, silver, and bronze medals at the State Track meets under the leadership of his great coach, Mr. Frank Fischer. When he was  in his 40s, he would still challenge his kids and their friends to foot races and beat them handily! There was always a pack of friends that spent the weekends at the house when Mike and Stacy were growing up and Steve was always in the middle of the fun with boxing, basketball, badminton, and all variety of laughter and activity. He was a mentor to many of Mike’s friends.

Growing up, there were eight Braun boys and eight Murphy girls within a radius of twelve miles. Steve always said that there was bound to be a connection, and indeed, Steve married Joan Murphy and they were delighted by and devoted to each for the next 59 years.

Steve served in the US Navy from 1961-1965 when he was honorably discharged. After a five-year employment with the Boeing Company in Seattle, WA, he resumed his education and graduated from Highline Community College and Washington Technical Institute where he obtained his FCC license. He was involved in the cable television business for the next 30 years as a technician, engineer, manager, and owner. He was a member of the Washington State Cable Television Association and the National Society of Telecommunication Engineers.

While being praised in the cable business at annual meetings as being an astute manager who secured the most customers and who ran the most efficient and frugal office, Steve always said that the two most important achievements in his life were his children Mike and Stacy. He was a tough, perfectionistic, exacting father who had the highest of standards for his kids while also being the first one to laugh, tease, and bring love, fun, and adventure to the family. He was a tough guy who loved simple things like kittens, puppy’s breath, growing roses and tomatoes, and watching sunsets. During his illness, he expressed his great pride in the rich legacy that he is leaving: his son, Dr. Michael S. Braun and his wife, Rochelle, his daughter, Stacy A. Carufel and her husband Kyle, and his grandchildren Clay Carufel, Alyssa Braun, Clancy Carufel Del Valle and her husband Dereck, Steven Braun, Skylar Carufel, Tristan Carufel, Emerson Carufel, and his great grandson Andre Zane Del Valle.

Steve was admired for his work ethic, his generosity, and his talents and abilities (Mike once told Steve that he saw a t-shirt that seemed to be made for him which said, “I fix things and I know stuff.” He liked things tidy and to look nice and was willing to put in the effort to achieve those results. He took perfect care of everything that he had. He showed us every day what hard work, drive, and love and support of family looked like. He was kind, ethical, and generous. He was always the most fun person in the room with his quick wit and easy laugh. As his friend Tom said, “He had a unique way of making everything humorous.” The catalyst for fun and adventure, he loved camping, white water rafting, playing games, searching Puget Sound for treasures with his grandkids, coaching and cheering them on in track, being on the water, skiing, golfing, and traveling. Highlights for him were visits to North Dakota and Kauai to be with family, Christmases spent with the Ray Braun family in Oregon, and the Braun Family ski trips. Always an athlete, he enjoyed playing on softball and soccer teams, going to the gym, running, coaching Little League and basketball teams, watching football (consistently changing his “favorite” team to whichever team was winning, much to Mike’s frustration when he was young) and most recently “talking sports” with his 7-month-old great grandson, Dre.

After residing in Seattle for forty-four years, Steve and Joan retired to North Dakota to be closer to family. The past fifteen years were a gift; Sharing in family activities, meeting great neighbors and friends, being an official at local track meets with Leon House & Co., golfing with a great group, living on the river, and enjoying all things that North Dakota has to offer.

Steve will be deeply missed by his wife Joan, and his family including his brothers and sisters-in-law: Leo and Maxine Braun, JoAnn Braun, Louie and Jean Braun, Jerry Braun, Sharon Braun, many cherished in-laws, friends, nephews and nieces, and his only Godchild Billie Jo Morken.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers: Ray, Frank, Jim, and Dan and his sister Gloria.

With heartfelt gratitude, we would like to thank all of our families and friends for their unending kindness, support, consideration, prayers, and love; the extraordinary services of Sanford Hospice and Home Health Care for providing support so that Steve could remain at home and for the pinning ceremony they provided to honor him for his military service. Special thanks also to Fr. Jared Johnson and Nancy Darling of Pro-Cathedral of St. Mary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: Pro-Cathedral of St. Mary, North Dakota Veterans Cemetery Foundation, Sanford Hospice and Home Health Care or a charity of choice.