Christine (Chris) Mary Braun, age 66, of Kansas City, MO passed away peacefully on April 21, 2026 at New Mark Rehab & Healthcare Center from complications related to early onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Chris was born on September 12, 1959, to Richard L. Litzinger, Sr. and Jeannine (Vandervort) Litzinger in St. Louis, MO. She graduated in 1977 from Hazelwood West High School in Hazelwood, MO. Her senior year included a work/study program with an emphasis on secretarial and administrative careers.

Chris started her working life in 1977 as a secretary for Flight Safety International before joining Ozark Air Lines in June 1979, first as an auditing clerk before serving as a flight attendant, a job she absolutely loved and at which she excelled. In 1988, she left the airlines, working a few customer service positions before becoming a judicial clerk in Missouri’s 21st Judicial Circuit Court of St. Louis County where she earned high praise for her work ethic, her efficiency and her personality. When her husband accepted a job offer in Kansas City, MO, she enthusiastically embraced the adventure and eventually accepted a job offer to join Hallmark Cards as an administrative assistant. She then progressed through various administrative positions at Hallmark Cards, supporting various managerial staff up to corporate officer level, where again she earned praise for the work and support she provided.

On July 16, 1982, after a long day of working as a flight attendant, Chris met a fellow Ozark Air Lines employee and the luckiest man in the world, Robert (Bob) Braun, Jr. The romance between the flight attendant and station agent blossomed quickly and in late December 1982, they announced their engagement. They eventually married on May 19, 1984, with hopes and dreams of starting a family, but alas, those hopes and dreams did not materialize. Chris loved to dance, sew and craft. She also loved socializing with the elderly and children, especially her nieces and nephews in St. Louis and Kansas City. Chris also loved to travel. She and her husband Bob were able to travel together to thirty-seven states, including Alaska and Hawaii. They traveled to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. And in 2012, they began a series of trips to Europe including Ireland, Belgium, Croatia (twice!), Germany and Netherlands where they visited good friends and where they met many interesting people and made many exciting memories.

Chris is survived by her husband of 41.9166 years, Bob, as well as her sister Deborah Green (Scott), brother Richard ‘Rick’ Litzinger, Jr., and sister Sharon Lagermann (Ken). She also is survived by nine nieces and three nephews, nine great-nieces and six great-nephews, as well as relatives across the United States. Chris was preceded in death by her parents Richard L. Litzinger, Sr. and Jeannine (Vandervort) Litzinger. Visitation will be on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 9:00AM until 10:30AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at 708 N. 4th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66101 followed by recitation of the Rosary at 10:30AM. The funeral Mass for Chris will begin at 11:00AM. The Inurnment of Chris’ ashes will follow immediately after the Mass at Mt. Calvary Cemetery mausoleum located at 1150 N 38th St, Kansas City, KS 66102.

In lieu of flowers, family ask that donations be made to one of the following: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Harvesters Community Food Network (3801 Topping Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64129) or one of the Alzheimer’s research and support foundations like Alzheimer's Association or Cure Alzheimer's Fund.)