Bert Eldon Braden

Bert Eldon Braden passed away Thursday, October 18, 2018 in his apartment at Atria Heathstone Assisted Living in Topeka. Bert died after a short illness and was attended by his children, Interim Hospice and the staff at Atria Heartstone.

Bert was born on September 21, 1925 in Clinton, Missouri to Rachel Miller Braden and Claude Jefferson Braden. He lived most of his life in the Topeka, Kansas area. He eloped and married Pauline Florence Wendland on August 19, 1950 in Oklahoma.

Bert was most proud of his Irish heritage and would proclaim "I'm not a fighting Irishman for nothing" and was known to try and prove that claim on occasion. He was also proud of his being able to stop drinking with support of his sons and AA.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline, sons Gary Lee Braden and Bert and Brad Braden (twins who died soon after their birth), his parents, Rachel and Claude Braden, sister, Claire Johnston, and brother, Carl Braden. His daughter-in-law, Yuvon Braden also preceded him in death.

Bert is survived by his son, Louis Carl Braden of Carbondale, KS, daughters Christine Smith (Ralph) of Wichita, KS and Cindy Peters (Steve) of Paxico, KS. He is also survived by his sisters-in-laws, Louise (Denzil) Moyer of Berryton, KS, Dixie (Chuck) Mann of Topeka, KS and Ann Uhl of Topeka, KS.

Bert was blessed and greatly enjoyed being the grandfather of 7 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

Bert served in the US Navy during WWII. He was one of very few living crew members of the USS Sigsbee who survived the attack on the ship during the war. Bert was a gunner on the ship when it was being attacked by Japanese Kamikaze planes. The ship was severely damaged and rendered unable to sail to port without assistance. Bert did not share much about his military experience until late in life when the burden of keeping the pain of the past buried was too great. Bert was lifetime member of the American Legion.

Following his discharge from the Navy, Bert worked many jobs to support his family. He drove the Topeka city bus, worked as a laborer in the construction business, drove a semi-truck and trailer across-country for years and was a union steward for the Teamsters Union. He worked as a truck driver for the Teamsters during the construction of Jefferies Energy Center near St. Mary's, KS.

When retired from "real" work, he opened and operated Bert's Used Cars on Highway 24 and North Kansas Ave. in Topeka, KS for many years. Both sons worked with Bert and Gary ultimately closed the car lot a few years ago. Many "Rent-A-Wrecks" were sold at this location to happy customers. Several family members took the risk as well.

A graveside service with Military Honors will be held Saturday, October 27th, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at West Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery located at 820 SW Auburn Rd., Topeka KS.

There will be a gathering following the service at Parker-Price Reception Center located at 1940 NW Central Ave., Topeka, KS.