Parker Brauer

Parker Brauer ended his long journey with cardiomyopathy on March 3, 2023 with loved ones at his side. He entered the heavens peacefully and on his own terms, just like we knew he would. Parker was a man of honor, integrity, kindness, and hard work. He believed a handshake was as good as a contract and that a man was as good as his word. He lived by these guidelines and treated everyone with respect and honesty. He believed in the neighborly way and was always available to lend a hand or help when needed. He began his life on the family farm in Winnebago, Illinois. As a teenager, he tried out his entrepreneurial skills and began a tree farm. He would plant, trim, and groom them into perfect Christmas Trees. He would sell them directly out of his lot or take orders to flock them a beautiful snowy white. He also had a strawberry farm where he grew and sold strawberries to the public. As a young adult, he ventured out on his own to a farm not too far from the home farm. He milked registered Holstein cows, as well as grain farming, hay, corn and beans. There he married his wife, Kathy and had his first-born Jason. Shortly after Jason’s birth, Kathy was diagnosed with cancer and lost her battle while Jason was a toddler. He then met and married Mary, who joined him on the farm and had their next three sons, Adam, Ryan, and Lucas. He loved the farm and the values it gave their boys. He always had one or more son(s) by his side, working hard and teaching them life skills. He was so proud of his boys and had hoped they would carry on the farming tradition. However, because Parker was very active in the farming community and sat on many agriculture and dairy boards, he could see how farming was evolving over the years. He knew the direction farming was going was no longer conductive to small family farms. While serving on the Wisconsin Dairy Council Board, he decided to change career paths and leave farming to open a Culver’s Restaurant. The family moved to Missouri where they opened a restaurant in St. Charles, then another one in Wentzville, Missouri. There, he was a successful business owner who worked closely with many employees who benefitted from his work ethic and leadership skills, and he helped shape them into dedicated employees that he was very proud of. After Parker’s diagnosis of heart disease, the Culver’s Restaurants were sold so Parker and Mary could spend 7 years traveling. They enjoyed many vacations, mostly to tropical locations, and especially enjoyed the ones taken with their entire family of 20. Parker was proceeded in death by his parents: Harold and Lueva; one sister, Cherie, and one brother, Randy and his wife, Kathy. He loved his family dearly and was very proud of his wife Mary; their four sons: Jason (Molly), Adam (Sara), Ryan, and Lucas (Katie); his 11 grandchildren: Parker, Landon, Wyatt, Mia, Whitney, Madison, Molly, Everly, Kora, Jameson, and Harper Brauer; his sister, Connie (Chas) Chaney; his brother, Allyn; one sister-in-law, Sue (Dave) Rueth; brothers-in-law: Ed Willauer and Rick (Dee) Willauer; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. Family and friends will be received from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at KEMPER-KEIM Family Funeral Chapel located at 351 Monroe Street Troy, MO 63379. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Winnebago Cemetery in Winnebago, IL. A celebration Parker’s life will immediately follow the graveside service at The Brauer Barn located at 9151 Edwardsville Rd Winnebago, IL 61088. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made to Lincoln County Council of Aging (Meals on Wheels Program) in care of Kemper-Keim Family Funeral Chapel P.O. Box 222 Troy, MO 63379. Arrangements are under the direction of Kemper-Keim Family Funeral Chapel; 351 Monroe Street, Troy, Missouri 63379. Online condolences may be made at www.kemperkeimfamilyfuneralchapel.com Phone 636-528-8221

Parker Brauer

February 5, 1950 - March 3, 2023