Melissa Ruth Christiansen-Braun

Melissa Ruth Christiansen-Braun passed away Aug. 31, 2016 in Marysville, Washington at age 36. She was born Jul. 01, 1980 at the Valley Hospital in Palmer, Alaska to Nils and Deborah Christiansen. Melissa grew up in Wasilla with brief times spent living in Minnesota and Oregon. She graduated from Colony High School in 1997. She loved debate and drama in High School and excelled in Moot Court. Melissa attended Pacific Lutheran University, University of Alaska and New Mexico State University with plans for a Criminal Justice degree.

Melissa married Duane Braun in 2003 and they had one son, Bryce. Melissa loved Alaska and loved to travel. She was always planning trips and had recently been planning a rail trip down the West Coast. The coast was always a favorite place for her, especially Homer and Oregon. She had a very inquisitive mind and was constantly reading. Anyone who knew her knows that she never went anywhere without a couple books to read. She also loved working with children and was trying to learn to make beaded jewelry.

Melissa was preceded in death by her husband, Duane Braun; maternal grandparents Leslie and Hazel Green; paternal grandparents Yithro Ben Avraham and Phyllis Christiansen. She is survived by parents Nils and Deborah Christiansen of Wasilla; brothers and sisters-in-law Philip and Rachel Christiansen and Aaron and Ashley Christiansen of Wasilla; sisters and brothers-in-law Dena and Sean Russell and Jasmine Christiansen of Wasilla; son Bryce Braun of Soldotna; in-laws Kurt and Jerri Braun of Soldotna and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Words of comfort can be shared with the family at PO Box 871003, Wasilla, AK 99687.

Her ashes will be scattered at favorite spots in Alaska. Arrangements were made by Edwards Memorial in Seattle.