Emelia Braun

Minot

Emelia Joan Braun, 69, of Minot, ND, formerly of Golden Valley and Zahl, was called home unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, surrounded by the love and memories she cultivated throughout her life.

Born on October 4, 1954, in Williston, Joan was the beloved daughter of Martin and Clara (Haugen) Hanson. Raised on the family farm outside of Zahl, Joan’s early years were filled with the warmth of family and the close-knit bonds of her siblings, Martin, Thora, and Clarice, and many dear cousins. She attended elementary school in Zahl, and her journey through education continued as she graduated as Valedictorian from Grenora High School in 1972.

Joan’s academic excellence carried her to UND-Williston, where she not only excelled in her studies but also left her mark as a player on the college’s inaugural women’s basketball team, a team that was proudly inducted into the Teton Hall of Fame just last summer. She then pursued her love for mathematics and education at Dickinson State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a double major in mathematics and education. Joan’s love for learning was matched only by her gift for teaching, a passion that touched countless lives.

Joan began her teaching career in Edmore, where she taught mathematics for three years before moving to Golden Valley, ND. It was here that she met and married Johnny Braun, building a life filled with love and purpose. Together, they raised two wonderful children, Nyssa and Cameron, in a home that echoed with laughter, learning, and love. Joan’s dedication to her students extended far beyond the classroom; she taught night college classes in Twin Buttes and later in Minot, where she worked with students from Minot Public Schools and Minot Air Force Base.

Joan spent 25 meaningful years at Minot Public Schools, teaching 7th-grade Math at Erik Ramstad. Teaching middle school is not for the faint of heart, it takes incredible dedication, patience, and a deep well of compassion. Joan embodied all of these qualities and more. She had a unique gift for making math come alive, transforming it from a subject that students often feared into something relatable and even exciting. Joan didn’t just teach math; she taught her students to believe in themselves. Her classroom was more than just a place to learn; it was a sanctuary where every student felt welcome and valued. She carried this spirit beyond the school walls, always leaving a seat open at her dining table or a coffee shop for anyone who needed guidance, support, or simply a listening ear. Joan’s legacy is one of warmth, kindness, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every young mind she encountered.

Though she “retired” after 45 years of service, Joan’s passion for teaching never waned. She continued to tutor students and grandchildren, always patient and kind, always ready to share her love of learning. Her retirement was also filled with the simple joys of life, watching Hallmark movies, traveling, reading, and being the steady, unwavering rock upon which so many relied.

Joan was deeply involved in her community, supporting numerous organizations with unwavering generosity. Her involvement ranged from Christ Lutheran Church and Delta Kappa Gamma Nu to MPS Retired Teachers, Book Club, Coffee Club, and Breakfast Club. If there was a cause or an event, Joan was there, always ready to lend a helping hand or contribute in any way she could.

Above all, Joan lived for her family, especially her grandchildren. They were her heart’s delight, her pride and joy. She cherished every moment spent baking with Anson, Iver, and Declan, pouring all her love and patience into these precious times together. Holiday baking was a beloved tradition for Joan, with treats made in abundance and shared with all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Joan leaves behind a legacy of love and kindness, survived by her daughter Nyssa and her husband Rusty Stroschein; her son Cameron and his wife Jamie Braun; and her cherished grandchildren: Anson, Iver, and Declan Stroschein; grandchildren of her heart: Amisa Miller, Eli, and Abraham Davis; Harrison Blevins and Theodore Braun. She is also lovingly remembered by her brother Martin and his wife Linda Hanson; her sister Thora Hanson and nephew Jacob Hanson; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is now reunited in heaven with those who preceded her: her parents Clara and Martin Hanson; her sister Clarice Hanson; sister-in-law Bonnie Hanson; her father-in-law and mother-in-law Theofild and Esther Braun; brother-in-law Bruce Braun, and sister-in-law Janice (Braun) Specht.

Joan’s sudden passing leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew her, but her spirit lives on in the countless lives she touched. Her legacy of love, compassion, and unwavering dedication to others will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to have known her. Joan was, and always will be, a beacon of light and love in the lives of her family, friends, and community.

Funeral: Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, Minot. Interment: A burial will take place at a later date. Visitation: Friday, August 23, 2024 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot. Prayer Service: Friday at 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

The service will be livestreamed for the public to view and can be accessed by going to the Christ Lutheran Church website: https://www.christlutheranminot.org/church-online/.

Published by The Minot Daily News, August 22, 2024.