SUSAN IONA (TAVEGIA) BRAUN

Sept. 15, 1948–April 18, 2024

Susan Iona (Tavegia) Braun, 75, of Rapid City, South Dakota, returned home to the Lord on April 18, 2024.

Susan (Susie) was born on Sept. 15, 1948, in Hot Springs, South Dakota.  Susie grew up on a ranch in Osage, Wyoming, and attended grade school in Osage and high school in Newcastle, Wyoming. After high school, she attended business school in Billings, Montana, and worked at a bank in Newcastle, where she met the love of her life, Wayne Braun.  The two were married on July 12, 1970, in Newcastle. Soon after, they moved to Bristol, South Dakota, where Wayne taught a year of high school math.

In 1971, Wayne and Susie moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where Wayne completed his master’s degree in computer science. In 1973, they moved to Rapid City, where they raised their two children, Travis and Laura.

Susie, a woman of many talents, was an avid quilter and a master of various crafts including crochet and woodworking. She was an active member of several quilting groups, notably the Black Hills Quilter’s Guild, and her works were showcased in local and regional quilting shows. Susie loved traveling and spending time in nature through walks and hikes. She treasured spending quality time with her family and friends. Above all, she loved the Lord Jesus.

Susie is survived by her loving husband, Wayne Braun of Rapid City; her son, Travis Braun of Rapid City; and her daughter, Laura (Paul) Pigsley of Rochester, Minnesota. She was a proud grandmother to Caden Pigsley and Hannah Pigsley of Rochester. She is also survived by her brother, Bill (Donna) Tavegia of Upton, Wyoming; her sisters, Jane (Bruce) Bottjen of Spokane, Washington, and Judy Schaeffer of Osage; and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins who adored her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert (Bert) and Pearl (Precunier) Tavegia; sister, Betty Jean (Lewis); and brother, Jerry. 

Visitation for family and friends was held April 25 at Oshiem & Schmidt funeral home in Rapid City. A memorial service to celebrate Susie’s life was held on April 26 at Trinity Lutheran Church followed by a luncheon and burial at Pine Lawn Memorial Park.

Donations can be made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.