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Jeff Brauer • 2017 • Rice Lake Speedway (Photo By Doug Zimmer)

Longtime WISSOTA racer Jeff Brauer passes at age 56

Our condolences to the Brauer family on the passing of Jeff. Making many appearances among the pages of this newspaper throughout the decades, his contributions to dirt track racing in the Midwest will not be forgotten. -ATD

EYOTA, MN - Jeffrey Alan Brauer, 56, of Eyota, MN passed away at home surrounded by his family on December 21, 2024, after a courageous battle with Glioblastoma, diagnosed in March 2023.

He was born on December 15, 1968, in Decorah, Iowa and spent his childhood living in northeast Iowa. Jeff traveled extensively with his father – camping, fishing and hunting in the northwestern states. He attended Waukon and Decorah Community Schools graduating in 1987 from Decorah, excelling in many high school sports, like wrestling, track and football. Jeff attended Luther College and the University of Iowa, where he prepared for a career in the construction industry, graduating in 1992. In 1998, he started Brauer Roofing. Jeff also went on to establish Brauer Racing in 1996, where he thrived as a competitor in WISSOTA Street Stock, WISSOTA Midwest Modified, and WISSOTA Super Stock races. Over an impressive 25-year racing career, Jeff secured multiple track championships at notable venues including Deer Creek Speedway, Chateau Raceway, Mississippi Thunder Speedway, and Dodge County Speedway.

On April 25, 1998, he married Janene Sivesind. Together, they raised two wonderful sons, Braden and Kolton. Outside of his professional and racing pursuits, Jeff had a passion for nature; he enjoyed making maple syrup, gardening, fishing, and hunting. These last two years, unable to attend racing events, he streamed them from his living room, usually from two TVs so he could watch both his boys race. Racing meant the world to him and watching his sons experience such great success in the sport gave him immense joy.

He is survived by his wife, Janene, sons, Braden and Kolton, father Dennis Brauer, stepmother Martha Brauer, mother Shirley Crandall, and two half-brothers, Sam Brauer and Max Brauer.

A funeral service was held Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home. Burial is at Oak Hill Cemetery in Viola, MN.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home served the Brauer family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.