Jean (Hutchison) Brauns

Thelma Jean “TJ” Brauns, 87, of Wapello, passed away on Friday, January 17, 2025 at the Simpson Memorial Home in West Liberty surrounded by her family.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at the Wapello Methodist Church.  Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at the church.  The family request those attending both visitation and funeral service to wear Hawkeye apparel.  Burial will be in the Wapello Cemetery.  Memorials have been established for the St. Croix Hospice, Wapello Methodist Church  and the Wapello Cemetery in Jean’s name.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservices.com.   Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello is caring for Jean’s family and her arrangements. 

Thelma Jean Hutchinson was born on March 22, 1937 in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Louis and Dorothy (Brown) Hutchison.  Jean was a 1955 graduate of Wapello High School.  She married Fred Humiston in 1955 and they later divorced.  Jean later married Bill Brauns, and they divorced.  Jean  worked at Bandag from 1977 until 1987 and then was the Louisa County Recorder for 20 years; retiring in 2007.  Jean worked at the Sombrero Restaurant for many years. In her retirement she owned and operated the fitness center in Wapello.  She also was a farm wife, who enjoyed making meals for the farm hands.  Jean was a member of Wapello T.T.T., Federated Club, Letts United Methodist Church and she was the secretary treasurer for the Bible Church of Grandview.  Jean enjoyed planning her class reunions and the all-school class reunions along with the Christmas dinners at the Briggs Center;  gardening, canning, push mowing yards – (to get a good tan), taking walks and collecting spoons.  She was an avid Hawkeye fan of football and men’s basketball and had season tickets for several years.  She ironed EVERYTHING!  Her most cherished memories were the monthly “Coffee Bunch” get togethers.   

Jean will be deeply missed by her children, Scot (Linda) Humiston of Columbus Junction, Judi (Rocky) Phillips of Letts, Doug (Marcia) Humiston of Altoona, Juli (Matt DeKeyrel) Humiston of Illinois City and Tony (Deb) Humiston of Columbus Junction; grandchildren, Jason (Kristen) Humiston, Jill (Sam Clark) Townsley, Jennifer (Steve) Reynolds, Ali (Ben) Coyne, Jamie (Randy) Phillips, Rocky “Big Dog” (Michelle) Phillips, Emily (Jeremy) Johannsen, Mitchell DeKeyrel, Hunter Humiston, Mason DeKeyrel, Makenna Humiston and Tyler Humiston and 21 great-grandchildren.  

Jean was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter, Jodi Batenhorst in 1994.

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