Theresa C. Braune

Theresa C. Braune was born November 11, 1952, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa, with four brothers and one sister. She graduated in 1971 from Valley High School. Theresa then attended Grand View College, graduating in 1973 with an AA degree with an emphasis in elementary education.

She continued her education at Northeast Missouri State University, now called Truman State College. Theresa graduated in December 1976 with a BSE in special education.

She then moved to Phoenix, Arizona and taught at the State Mental Hospital.

She returned to Iowa in 1977 and began teaching for the Ames Community Schools, teaching special education for 18 years. She specialized in teaching students with emotional/behavioral and mental disabilities. In 1993, she earned her master's degree from Drake University and began teaching first graders for the next 19 years.

Teaching was a passion for Theresa. She retired in 2013 after 37 years in the classroom. It was important to her to have an impact on changing children’s lives for the better.

Less than a year after retirement, Theresa was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. For over 5 years she has been passionately fighting and staying ahead of her cancer. She’s active in breast cancer groups. It’s important for women to know they are not alone in the fight against cancer.

Theresa has another passion, which is her love of rescuing animals. She especially loves rescuing abused dogs. She has transported dogs across country to their new forever homes or to be fostered. She supports Bailing Out Benji, which rescues dogs trapped in puppy mills. All the years that she taught first grade, she and her students would fund raise to buy needed supplies for the local animal shelter. Students did extra chores at home or at school to earn spare change. Students brought the money to school where they learned how to recognize coin names and values. They learned how to count change, too. Usually students earned between $350-$500 dollars for the Ames Animal Shelter. Brekke’s Animal Food Store always gave us a discount on all supplies bought for the shelter.

Theresa has been a champion supporter of her local animal shelters.

Theresa has made a difference for both children and animals' lives.

She has also been blessed with a wonderful, supportive and loving group of friends! They have all touched her life for the better! For her friends, she is eternally grateful! She has been truly blessed with a great life and the love of family.

Paver inscription:
THERESA C.
BRAUNE
TEACHER
ADVOCATE FOR
CHILDREN &
ANIMALS