Helen Dorothy Brau

It is with great sadness that the family of Helen “Shorty” Brau of Arlington, Minnesota announces her sudden passing following a brief battle with colon cancer.  Helen died as she wished in her home on Monday morning, August 17, 2020 at age of 88 surrounded by loved ones.  Due to the COVID~19 restrictions, a private Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 29^th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, followed by an interment at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Helen was born on December 31, 1931 to Alexander and Agatha (Kreger) Thomes in Arlington, MN.  She grew up in Arlington and attended Arlington-Green Isle School and after graduation from High School, she attended a business school in Minneapolis.  Helen married Norbert J. Brau of Lucan, MN on April 28, 1953 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Arlington, Minnesota.  She was privileged to work beside her husband Norb as a bookkeeper at Brau Motors for years, and to lovingly attend to her family.  Shorty enjoyed staying active daily by walking on her tread mill and could be frequently seen biking to the Sportsman’s Park, gardening, assisting at church, and driving into Minneapolis on Sunday’s for shopping excursions.  In her earlier years Shorty enjoyed golfing, dancing, boating and water skiing.  She loved going on vacations with her family and living life to the fullest. 

Helen is survived by her children; Dr. Steven (Susie) Brau of Mason City, Iowa; Patty (Frank) Mangen of Plymouth, MN; Dan (Angela) Brau of Chaska, MN, Rob (Angie) Brau of Arlington, MN and daughter-in-law, Rhonda Brau.  Grandchildren; Jamie, Lindsey, Katie, Molly, Logan, Briana, Danielle, Matthew, Joseph, Megan, Leyton, Kerigan, and Pierson, three great-grandchildren and with one on the way. Also survived by brother, Joe Thomes, of Arlington, MN.  

She is preceded in death by her husband, Norbert; Sons, Bruce Brau, Dr. Bill Brau, and siblings; Karl Thomes, Ralph Thomes, Josephine “Sis” Gilhausen and Rita Melsha.