In Memoriam

Sister Claudia Rae Braun

January 11, 1937 – December 2, 2025

Sister Claudia Rae Braun (Sister Mary Marmion), 88, passed into eternal life on December 2, 2025, at the Center for Benedictine Life at the Monastery of St. Gertude, Cottonwood, Idaho.

She was born on January 11, 1937, to Joseph A. Braun and Bernice (Schlader) Braun in Nezperce, Idaho, the seventh of eleven children. She graduated from Nezperce High School as valedictorian of her class, lettering in drama, music, and sports, as well as participating in student government and serving as student body president. She put herself through college with scholarships, teaching and, among other things, driving a grain truck in her hometown. She entered the community in 1961, professing her first vows in 1963 and final vows in 1968.

Sister Claudia Rae earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Portland after teaching English, religion and social studies at St. Gertrude’s Academy and eighth grade at St. Anthony’s School, Pocatello. She then served for more than four decades in a variety of capacities at the former St. Benedict’s Family Medical Center, Jerome, Idaho, Magic Valley Regional Medical Center, Twin Falls, Idaho, and St. Joseph’s Hospital, Bellingham, Washington, and Bishop Kelly High School, Boise, Idaho.

Her ministries at the monastery included serving on the monastic council and founding the development office (now Mission Advancement). She lent her talents to preserving the monastery’s history as archivist for over six years, then returned to the work of encouraging donors to support the monastery’s ministries in development.

Sister Claudia Rae was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Linda Braun, Joan Braun Hill, Marjorie Braun Vogel, Jean Braun Zenner, and her brothers Marion, Bill and Roy, and in-laws Jean J. Braun, George Hill, Don Wendt, Paul Zenner, and Mike Harris.

She is survived by her sisters, Vivian Wendt, Marietta Harris, Carol Braun, sister-in-law Arlene Braun and brother-in-law Fred Vogel, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, and her Benedictine community.

A rosary vigil took place on December 12  in the chapel at the Monastery of St. Gertrude, with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated December 13. Burial in the monastery cemetery will take place at a later date.

Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville, Idaho, handled arrangements. Memorial gifts can be made to the Center for Benedictine Life at the Monastery of St. Gertrude, 465 Keuterville Road, Cottonwood, Idaho 83522, or via the website: https://stgertrudes.org/donate/