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Father Tom Braak, 87

Father Tom Braak, 87 of Marshalltown, IA passed away Friday, May 7, 2021. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 14, 2021 at St. Francis of Assisi – St. Henry Catholic Church in Marshalltown. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. Vigil Service, Thursday, May 13, 2021 at St. Francis of Assisi – St. Henry Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Francis of Assisi Parrish. Arrangements are entrusted to Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown. Online condolences may be sent to [https://www.andersonfhs.com.%3Cbr%20/%3E]www.andersonfhs.com.

Father Tom was born and grew up in Des Moines, IA. His family moved to Marshalltown where Father Tom began school at St. Mary in Marshalltown. He graduated from St. Mary High School in 1951, attended Loras College in Dubuque, graduating in 1955, and then Mount St. Bernard Seminary in Dubuque. He was ordained a priest January 31, 1959 at St. Raphael Cathedral in Dubuque. He worked as an assistant golf professional for five years at the Wakonda Club in Des Moines prior to his ordination to the priesthood.

He served as an associate pastor at Nativity Parish in Dubuque; Assumption Parish in Cresco and on the team ministry at Immaculate Conception Parish in Charles City, IA and St. Mary Parish in Roseville, also at St. Cecilia Parish in Ames. He served as pastor at St. Patrick’s Parish in Hampton and St. Francis Parish in Dumont, Sacred Heart Parish in La Porte City, St. Henry in Marshalltown, St. Mary Parish in Eagle Center, and Immaculate Conception Parish in Blessing. He retired in 2003 and returned to Marshalltown. He worked with parish building committees in helping build churches in Dubuque, Charles City, Hampton, and Marshalltown. He was also the dean of the Marshalltown Deanery for several years.

Father Tom worked for several years in the Marriage Enrichment Program and began the Alienated Catholics Anonymous Program in Marshalltown helping many people return to the Church. His hobbies included golfing and calligraphy. Father Tom enjoyed being with family, joining parishioners for meals, and being with his priest friends, especially his Jesu Caritas prayer group. He enjoyed going on golfing trips with his priest friends to Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, Colorado, Mississippi, Texas, Missouri, California, Arizona, Florida, Mexico, Scotland, and Ireland. His trip to Bolivia and Peru were a highlight and really changed his life. His golfing trips to Ireland (four trips) and Scotland were also highlights of his golfing career.

Father Tom is survived by his brother, Albert (Skip) Braak of Des Moines; eight nieces and nephews and several cousins. He is preceeded in death by his father and mother, Al and Florence (Murphy) Braak; his brother Bill Braak (wives Lorna and Darlene); and one niece, Nancy Braak.

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