Memorial obituary New Underwood - Esther Braun 86, passed away early Saturday morning, September 14, 2013 surrounded by her family at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in New Underwood. She was born on December 16, 1926 in McLaughlin, SD to John C. and Minnie (Reich) Wolfer. She attended school in McLaughlin. Esther helped her Dad on the farm and worked in her Dad's mercantile. Esther married Lawrence Braun on September 8, 1948 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in McLaughlin. They farmed north of McLaughlin until 1957 when they moved to the Braun family farm west of Selfridge, ND where they resided until 1973. From the farm they moved to Watauga, SD and in 1974 they moved to New Underwood. To this union five children were born. After working beside her husband on the farm, raising her children and being a homemaker, Esther worked at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in New Underwood for 22 years retiring in 1997. Survivors include her children Mary Lou Hickey of Phoenix, AZ; Margaret (Dennis) Erz of Rapid City; Janet (Wayne) Green of Stanton, ND; Irene (Jon) Madsen of New Underwood; Lawrence (Missy) Braun of Newell; her fourteen grandchildren: David (Kenzie) Braun; Carrie (William) Mathis; Laurie (Randy) Bailey; Jennifer Smith (Troy Burns); Angie (James) Sayler; Wade (Buffi) Green; Miranda (Russ) Iwaniw; Dan (Wendy) Green; Melissa (JC) Smith; Kristen Madsen; Tina (Ryan) Hermann; Lawrence Braun, Jr.(Melissa Simpson); Orie Braun; Dustin (Micole) Braun; her twelve great-grandchildren: William Mathis; Caitlin and Taylor Correa; Kain Smith; Landen, Parker and Madisyn Sayler; Cooper and Rylee Iwaniw; Molly and Carsyn Green and Jamey Braun; and one sister Helen Gourley of Cle Elum, WA. Esther was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence in 1996, parents John C. and Minnie Wolfer; sisters Ida Moser; Lucy Slater; Thelma Shingler; Henrietta Hettich; and Dorothy Jorgenson; brothers Emmons, Oscar, Leonard and William Wolfer; grandson Daniel Smith and great-grandson Hunter Smith. The family wishes to thank the staff of the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in New Underwood who so lovingly and thoughtfully cared for Esther, especially the last week. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, September 16, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home followed by a wake service and rosary at 7 p.m. at St. John's Catholic Church in New Underwood. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 17, at St. John's Catholic Church in New Underwood with the Rev. Bill Zandri officiating. Burial will be at the New Underwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. John's Catholic Church in New Underwood. An online guestbook for Esther may be signed at www.osheimschmidt.com