Viola W. Braun 89, of Rochester died Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at Lake Winona Nursing Home of Winona, MN.

She was born on November 11, 1922 in Buffalo Lake Minnesota to Andrew and Celia (Hesse) Winkler.   On May 8, 1945 she married Joseph L. Braun in Stewart, Minnesota.  Vi and her family moved to Rochester from Crookston, MN in 1966.  She worked for Piggly Wiggly grocery store in the Crossroads Shopping Center for 17 years before retiring.  She did volunteer work for St. Francis Church, Mayo Civic Center and the senior citizens center.

Viola is survived by her daughter Janell (Marty) Head of Winona; daughter-in-law Ann Braun of Lake City; 3 grandsons, Jeff (Kelly) Braun of Mantorville, Joe (Steff) Braun of Lake City and Josh (Tara) Braun of Eyota; 7 great-grandchildren, Lilly, Caroline, Anna, Carlee, CeCelia, Greta and Hudson Braun.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; son Thomas; and great-grandson, Carson.

The Funeral Mass for Viola W. Braun will be at held at 1:00pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with the Rev. Mark McNea officiating.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to the Mass on Tuesday.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make a memorial donation in Vi's name to the Alzheimer's Association to help discover a cure for this debilitating disease.  Online website is www.alz.org – navigate to donate, tribute, find a tribute, search for Viola Braun.  For your convenience you may click on the link Vi's Tribute .

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.  On-line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.