Bryan Brauer 1960-2025
Bryan James Brauer, 64, of Holton, formerly of Wright, passed away as the result of a vehicle accident on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, near Sioux City, Iowa.
He was born December 28, 1960, in Sydney, NE the son of Lloyd James and MaryJo Ann (Luxa) Brauer. Bryan was born with an amazing, caring, loving and honest heart. His life touched many people. He was just a big teddy bear but would protect anyone at all costs. Bryan’s final gift to people was being an organ donor to the Iowa Donor Network for transplant, research and educational purposes.
Bryan graduated from Chase County High School in 1979 in Imperial, Neb., Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo., with a degree in pre-veterinary medicine in 1981 and from Kansas State University in 1985 with a bachelor of science degree in Animal Science. While at K-State he was a member of the AGR Fraternity and Block and Bridle.
Bryan married Jolene Edith Wheeler on May 2, 1987, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Manhattan. They celebrated more than 37 years of marriage. He adored her from the very first time he saw her. No matter what came their way, his love for her showed through in every aspect of their lives. She always was and always will be the love of his life.
Upon graduation from K-State he worked for the Wellington Co-op in Wellington. Bryan then moved to Texas to be with Jolene where they lived for a few years before settling in Lancaster, where he worked for the Atchison County Co-op for five years in agronomy and feed sales. He was also a volunteer fireman and EMT.
Their two daughters, Jessica and Nicole, were born while living at Lancaster. He often teased that as a girl dad he was surrounded by women constantly, but despite this - his girls were his pride and joy and he loved them with such a deep, fatherly love.
In 1995, they moved to Wright to raise their family. He worked for Farmland Industries as an animal health specialist. After Farmland closed, he worked for the Offerle Co-op and Pride Ag Resources in Dodge City as an agronomist. He also managed the Feed Mill for Pride Ag for five years.
Bryan served on and supported the High Plains Livestock Classic and High Plains Horse Show through his time in Ford County. He continued to serve as a volunteer fireman and EMT in Ford County for many years.
Bryan attended Christ the King Lutheran Church in Dodge City, where he was an active member, serving on the missions board and going on many short-term mission trips. While in Ford County, Bryan served as a board member for the State Board of Extension, president of Ford County Farm Bureau and was a proud Ford County 4-H leader.
In 2017 Bryan and Jolene decided to return to northeast Kansas and settled in Holton. He worked in agronomy for several years before deciding to become self-employed as a Hot Shot Transport Driver for the past three years.
Bryan was a member of Evangel Church in Holton where he served as worship leader, a member of the praise band and co-started a men’s prayer breakfast. He had been active with Thrive! Jackson County. He also loved volunteering at the Alpha Christian Children’s Home near Perry.
Survivors include his wife, Jolene, of the home; daughters, Jessica Brauer (Morris Rodriguez) of Emporia and Nicole Wilson (Jonathon) of Manhattan; two sisters, Anna Kendall (Chris) of Garfield, Ark., and Trevia Bussell (Scott) of Imperial, Neb.; a brother, Brad Brauer (Denise) of North Platte, Neb.; his mother-in-law, Joann Wheeler of Dover; and two step-grandchildren, Gabriel and Daniel Rodriguez.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and MaryJo Brauer; a son, Matthew Brauer in 1999; twins, Curtis and Cody Brauer in 2001; and father-in-law, Milton Wheeler.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 19 at Evangel Church in Holton. Burial will be held at 2:30 p.m. at Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan. Bryan will lie in state from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 18 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton.
Memorials may be given to Alpha Christian Children’s Home or Evangel Church, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
