Joan Elizabeth Brauninger (neé Rall), 62, of Kansas City, Missouri, born in Belleville, Illinois, went peacefully to meet her Heavenly Father on August 25th, 2024 after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer. Joan dedicated her life to service of others. As a caring mother, wife, and friend, she always put the needs of others before her own. Joan spent over 15 years of her career working in the non-profit sector aiming to make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable populations of her community. She was a devout member of King of Kings Lutheran Church, and a believer not only in God, but in everyone she met. She is preceded in death by her father, Jerry Rall, brother, Bobby Rall, and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

She is survived by her husband of almost 40 years, Mark Brauninger, married January 27th, 1985, and her daughter, Jillian Brauninger, both of Kansas City, MO. She leaves behind her loving parents, Lois and Wes Heintz, her brother Mike Rall (Adele Rall), all of Belleville, Illinois and nephew David Rall (Holly Rall) and great-niece Hazel Rall, of Glen Carbon, Illinois. She is also survived by a step-daughter, Tracy Barcus (Robert Barcus) and granddaughters, Izzi Barcus and Eve Barcus of Pahrump, Nevada, and step-son Thomas Brauninger of Las Vegas, Nevada. Most importantly, she is survived by her best friend, Eleanor the Cat. She leaves behind many more friends, co-workers and extended family whose lives she had touched.

Her memorial and celebration of life will be held at 2 pm on September 7th, 2024 at King of Kings Lutheran Church, located at 1701 NE 96th Street, Kansas City, MO 64155, with a luncheon to follow. This go-fund me will be established for those wishing to make a contribution towards Joan’s remaining medical bills that have incurred over the course of the treatment for both lung cancer and brain cancer.