Helga Renate Ehrmann Braun entered God's Kingdom on Wednesday, October 11, at the age of 86.  Helga was born in Bamberg, Germany on February 15, 1937, to Anna Gertrude Mantke Ehrmann and Alois Ehrmann.  Helga grew up in Germany during World War II and immigrated to the United States, alone, in 1953 at the age of 16. Helga graduated from St. Agnes Academy in Houston in 1956.  She found the love of her life, James Robert Braun, and married him on June 29, 1957. In 1959 Helga and James had their first son, James Edward, and seventeen months later their second son, Kirk Robert Louis, was born. Helga graduated from the University of Houston in 1971with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. She began teaching at Northwest Academy and later taught in the Cypress Fairbanks and Spring Independent School Districts. Helga was preceded in death by her husband, James.

Helga loved entertaining and travel. An invitation to a meal at Helga's meant the fine china.  She would not turn down an opportunity to travel anywhere with anyone. She was active in the Houston Saengerbund Club for 66 years. In her later years, Helga was very involved at St. Timothy Lutheran Church serving on many committees. In addition, she volunteered as an English as a Second Language teacher for those wanting to learn English.

Helga is survived by her sons, James (Gail) of Brenham, Texas, and Kirk (Polly) of Houston, Texas, and her grandchildren; James' children: Ryan (Lauren), Patrick (Sara) and Addison and Kirk's children: Denise and David (Elizabeth). She was extremely proud of her five grandchildren who all live in and around the Houston area. Helga was even more proud of her nine great grandchildren: Harper, Trigg, Finley, Ellis, Avery, Lucas, Holland, Emmie Kate, and Bowen. She often bragged about having two sets of great grandchildren twins.

Helga is also survived by her sister, Gisela LeNoir from Houston, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to the Houston Saengerbund, 1703 Heights Blvd., Houston, Texas, 77008 or St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 14225 Hargrave Road, Houston, Texas, 77070.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, October 28, 11:00 AM at St. Timothy Lutheran Church with a luncheon following the service being provided by St. Timothy.