Obituary of Mary Josephine "Josie" Braun

Mary Josephine “Josie” Braun of Shoreline, Washington passed away on February 23, 2022 at Swedish Hospital in Edmonds, she was 91. Josie’s children felt extremely blessed to have her for their mother and that she enjoyed a very long, happy and full life. Josie was born September 25, 1930 in Whitesville, Kentucky to Ann and Julian Burch and she was the second oldest of 10 children. Josie loved to reminisce about her childhood years living on a farm, which left her with many special and joyous memories. Josie and her family moved to Evansville, Indiana where she attended grade school at St. Joseph Catholic School and high school at Reitz Memorial, where she met the love of her life, Jim Braun. The high school sweethearts were happily married for 43 years until Jim passed away in 1994. Josie had always dreamed of having a large family, and her dream came true. She and Jim were abundantly blessed by God with eight children, which fulfilled the most important desire of Josie’s heart. They were also very blessed and delighted with all their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Everyone loved Josie, she was such a beautiful person in so many ways. She was very kind, caring, thoughtful and selfless and she had a smile that would light up a room and make anyone’s day. She was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church in Evansville, Indiana and St. Luke Catholic Church in Shoreline, Washington. Josie’s faith was very important to her and she passed that on to her children and their families in the way that she lived her life - with much love, dedication and devotion. Raising a family of eight children is not an easy job, but she performed all of her motherly duties with grace. She instilled in her children a spirit of gratitude, and taught them to be thankful for everything. She told them to always count their blessings and to be grateful for what God does for them. Josie moved to the Seattle area in 1998 where her six daughters and one son reside. Her children were so thrilled to have her living nearby so she could be a big part of their lives for the next 23 years. Josie enjoyed hosting and attending family events and celebrations, cooking, decorating, going for drives, traveling throughout the U.S. and to many scenic tourist destinations in the Pacific Northwest, attending ball games, reading, working puzzles, and she was very devoted to praying the Rosary. Josie is survived by her daughters: Julie (Mike) Lindsay, Janet Braun, Susie (Darrell) Beetham, Jeanie (Gordy) Gegax, Jo Ann (Bob) Stolarski, Nancy (Jim) Gretler all in the greater Seattle area, and her sons: Jim (Cindy) Braun of Evansville, Indiana and John Braun of Shoreline, Washington. She is also survived by her sisters Marie Schultheis, Betty (Carl) Colopetrio, Janie Robinson, her brother Carl (Charlotte) Burch, brother-in-law Mike Braun, 18 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.