Abby Brauhn, registered nurse and ministries director
Abby Jill Marie Brauhn, 43, died Tuesday, March 11, 2008.

Brauhn

She graduated from Buffalo General School of Nursing, where she began her career as a registered nurse. She later joined Parke Davis Pharmaceuticals as a sales representative. Ms. Brauhn's ambition and initiative took her to Chicago, where she enjoyed a successful career as new-products director.

When she heard a higher calling, Ms. Brauhn went to work for Park Community Church in Chicago as the director of extension ministries. There she founded Park Service Day, which engaged more than 900 Park Church members to serve the Chicago community for a day.

She was a pivotal member of Vacation with a Purpose, which led mission trips to orphanages in Mexico operated by Foundation for His Ministry and other places around the world. She always had a vision that she would create an orphanage, so when the opportunity came, her faith took her to California.

An avid reader and traveler, she embarked on many voyages around the world. She had an ability to touch all that she came in contact with. A diagnosis of terminal cancer brought her back to the Midwest, where she lived with her sister.

Ms. Brauhn is survived by her mother, Maggie; her sister, Debbie Geary; and brothers, Robert and Adam.

She was preceded in death by her father, Stephen.

A funeral service was held Friday, March 11 at St. Anthony's Church in Pewaukee, Wis.

Arrangements were by Cesarz Charapata & Zinnecker, Waukesha, Wis.