Ruth Esther Braun, 99, of Owatonna, died peacefully on Friday, November 26, 2010 at Cedarview Care Center. Ruth was born April 17, 1911 on a farm in Merton Township, Minnesota the daughter of Ernest and Alma (Theimer) Sanneman. Here she was raised and attended school. She was united in marriage to Eric Braun on August 20, 1956 in Owatonna. She worked for NW Bell Telephone Company as a telephone operator in Owatonna and later retiring after 37 years of faithful service. Eric died in August of 2003. Ruth was a longtime member of The Order of Eastern Star. She is survived by a stepdaughter, Betty Rosen of Alliance, OH; two step grandchildren, Janelle Romond of Wakeman, OH; Michael Rosen of London, UK; nephew, David Andreasen of Edina; Delores Lee of Sparks, NV; Rodney Sanneman of Sparks, NV; Keith Sanneman of Burbank, CA; Mona Sanneman of Juneau, AK and Joyce Enright of Eyota; A special thanks to Ruth''s caregivers, Dorothy 'Dottie' Lee of Owatonna and Jean and Edith Zamboni of Owatonna. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eric. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Memorial services will be held Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at 11:00 AM at Michaelson Funeral Home with Pastor Loren Olson officiating. Interment will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Owatonna. Memorials are preferred to the Homestead Hospice Patient Fund or donor''s choice. Visitation: 12/07/2010 10:00 12/07/2010 11:00 Service: 12/07/2010 11:00