01/16/2025
Erna Mae Braden
November 30, 1929 - January 13, 2025
Erna Mae Donnelly Braden left her earthly home to live with her heavenly father on January 13, 2025. She was born in Sweet Home, Texas on November 30, 1929, and celebrated her ninety-fifth birthday at her family’s Thanksgiving dinner. She was the fourth of nine children born to Ernest Joseph Donnelly and Mary Edith Mudd Donnelly. She attended Sweet Home School for eight years and then attended and graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in Yoakum. Shortly after graduation, she met the love of her life, John Albert Braden and on November 16, 1948 they married and started their life together in the Buchel community area north of Cuero. They were blessed with four children.
John and Erna, with the help of his parents, developed and maintained a beautiful native pecan bottom along the Guadalupe River. They also grew peaches, cotton, maize and raised cattle. Erna did her share of gardening, cooking, baking and canning vegetables and fruits grown in their garden and orchard. Her dill pickles were the best! Everyone knew that her favorite place to be was in her kitchen preparing food for her family. Being the homemaker that she was, her freezer was always full of shelled pecans, peaches, corn, cookies, cinnamon rolls and kolaches. She received numerous awards for her entries of shelled pecans and baked pecan bars in the annual Dewitt County Pecan Growers Association pecan show. She had her own personal pecan tree in her backyard that produced winning entries each year.
Erna was a faithful member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, the Altar Society and a lifetime member of the Catholic Daughters Court #347. She was a past member of the Buchel Home Demonstration Club. She also taught classes on cooking and sewing as a 4-H Club Leader. Her talent and Christian faith led her to play the organ for 18 years at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Being involved with church and organizations balanced her busy farm life. Her Christian walk with the Lord was very fulfilling her entire life. She portrayed a beautiful example of what being a devout Christian was to her family and friends. Her relationship with Jesus was glorious.
Erna was preceded in death by her husband John; her parents; daughter, Peggy Braden Van Pelt; brother, Lavern Donnelly, and sisters Margie Schindler, Sister Lucilla Donnelly, Jo Ann Brehm, Mary Alice Donnelly, Theresa Bohne, and Etta Nugent.
She is survived by her daughter, Jeanne Hunnam (J.G.) of Cuero; sons, Bill Braden (Kay Walker) of Cuero, Glenn Braden of Hochheim; son-in-law, Jeff Van Pelt of Victoria and sister Mertes Culak of Yoakum. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Casey Pruett (Gerald Hollub) of Seguin, Jordan Hunnam (Jackie) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, John Braden (Lindsey) of LaVernia, Willis Braden of Cuero, Dustin Braden of Concrete, Dillon Brown (Adeline Bui) of Austin, Jared Brown (Katie) of Spring and eleven great-grandchildren. She was “Nanny” to all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and with a loving smile, always had time to visit with each one.
Services will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church on Friday, January 17, 2025, with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. followed by Mass at 10:00 a.m. (309 E Church St., Cuero, TX). Following the service, the burial will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, 605 Sheehan St., Yoakum, Texas.
The Braden family extends a special thanks to all who helped make her end of life peaceful; Andrea Strait and all her staff and caretakers at Alzcare of Dewitt County, a special family caretaker Margaret Aranda, Father Jacob, Father Richard, Father Paul, and Dr. Gonzales and her team at Hospice of South Texas. Also, all her family and friends that stopped by to love and encourage her. We thank each of you for your gentle care and love for her that you shared. Your kindness will always be remembered. You are all amazing people. God bless you all!
Pallbearers will be her grandsons.
Memorials may be sent in her memory to St. Michael’s Catholic Church, or St. Michael’s Catholic School, 309 E Church St., Cuero, TX 77954, Hospice of South Texas, 605 E. Locust Ave., Victoria, TX 77901, or a charity of your choice.
You may sign the guestbook or send condolences at www.freundfuneralhome.com.
Freund Funeral Home, 361.275.2343.
