Rev. Johannes Brann
April 18, 1956 – Nov. 8, 2026

Sunday, Nov. 8, 2025, Johannes Weidler Brann received the crown of eternal life and was welcomed into the joy and peace of heaven at age 70. Born in Madison, Wis., he was the eldest son of Eberhard Gunther Rudolph Brann and Helen Louise (Sweet) Brann.

Baptized at The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Calvary Chapel on the University of Wisconsin (UW) campus in Madison, Brann learned the joy and peace of the Gospel of Christ, classical music, and the church year at his home parish, Immanuel Lutheran Church in Madison.

He graduated from Madison East High School in 1974, earned a bachelor's degree in history from UW in 1978, and his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Christ Seminary (AELC), St. Louis, in 1982. He completed his vicarage at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Indianapolis, and after his supervisor sudden passing served as interim leader for the congregation.

Brann was ordained as a Lutheran pastor in January 1983 in Port Huron, Mich. In 1984, he began serving at Gloria Christi Lutheran Church in Dearborn Heights, Mich. He was colloquized in 1994 and spent a decade (1988–1997) as pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Mo. In 1999, he began serving congregations in El Dorado Springs, Mo., and, in 2001, continued ministry in Nevada, Mo., until his retirement in 2026. Brann faithfully served congregations unable to afford a full-time pastor and worked in various roles, including home health, librarian, newspaper reporter, and special education paraprofessional.

In September 1989, Brann was united in holy matrimony to Carol Marie (Boe) Staber and adopted her youngest child, Joy Joanna Helena (Brann) Jennings. Brann delighted in proclaiming Christ’s salvation, researching, and writing local history, poetry, and reading.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eberhard and Helen Brann; great aunts Mildred and Jane Cove; and his wife, Carol. He is survived by his daughter Joy and brother Paul (Mary) Brann and their four children in Madison.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1630 N. Ash St., Nevada, Mo., led by the Rev. Daniel Heitshusen, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Aurora, Mo. The family will receive friends from 9:30–10:30 a.m. prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church in Brann’s memory.