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Florist Braun remembered [UPDATED]
Published 11:21am Wednesday, October 31, 2012 Updated 11:36am Wednesday, October 31, 2012Kay Braun was remembered fondly by employees at Wild Rose Floral and Gifts in Fergus Falls. Braun died Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls.
In 2000, Braun purchased Wild Rose, which she owned and operated. Without a floral background, she built up a successful business by working like every day was a holiday — in the floral business that means fast and efficient. She will be greatly missed by her Wild Rose staff; Ruthie, Lee, Shelley, Nancy, Bridget, and Del.
“Kay was very nice to work with and I appreciated her smile every day,” said Ruthie Fabian. “Although I was not a designer, she still let me know every day that I was appreciated.”
Braun liked to make connections when customers came into the store — who was a neighbor, which person was related to whom. Through Wild Rose, and her participation in groups like Rotary, Ducks Unlimited and the Chamber, Braun became very well known in the community.
“Kay provided tremendous customer service, and wanted to make sure customers got what they wanted,” said Nancy Walvatne. “She listened to them, and would remember what their favorite flower was five years later.”
Braun also showed a caring nature to her staff.
“When my husband died Kay was the first person to arrive at the hospital to comfort me and hold my hand,” said Lee Engelmeier . “I might have been an employee but she was also a very caring friend.”
“I worked with Kay just a few months,” said Wild Rose’s newest employee Shelley Hartman. “Kay always had a smile for you, no matter what the circumstances.”
“I didn’t realize how many friends Kay had,” said her husband Joe Braun. “Her family, friends and co-workers were important to her. “
Kay Braun passed away from a pulmonary embolism that developed while she was recovering from surgery. Service is planned at 10 a.m. Friday, at Grace United Methodist Church, Fergus Falls.
While Wild Rose Floral and Gifts remains open, they will close all day on Friday so that staff may attend services for Kay. The store will re-open on Saturday.
