Priscilla J. (Gutshall) Brauning

Following months of physical challenges, Priscilla J. (Gutshall) Brauning, 85, went to be with her Lord and Savior at her home in Lower Paxton Township on Wednesday, February 8, 2023.

Born November 19, 1937 in Harrisburg, she was the daughter of the late George and Luella (Railing) Gutshall, and was a member of the first graduating class at Central Dauphin High School.

An active member of Paxton United Methodist Church, she belonged to the Helping Hands Sunday School Class and Bible Study; was an “Egger”, making sure the annual Easter Eggs were ready; knitted prayer shawls; and was involved in Sew for Peace, making clothing for children in need around the globe.

She was also a member of the Susquehanna Golden Agers and had been a Girl Scout Leader.

During her childhood, Priscilla worked at the Broad Street Market alongside her parents at their stand, Gutshall Produce.  As an adult, she continued that work at various Giant grocery stores in the area.   She was also a top regional saleswoman for Avon Products when her children were young.

On August 11, 1957, she married Harry G. Brauning, who passed away in 2017 just shy of their 60th wedding anniversary.  In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter:  Barbara Bell and her brother:  George Gutshall.

Priscilla was the epitome of the term “homemaker”.  She was the everything parent:  loving and disciplining; caring for the home and cooking wonderful meals; and instilling the value of family time in her children.  Her love of cooking and baking were passed down to her granddaughters – mostly without written recipes.  She will always be known for her (proper) chicken pot pie, fried chicken, fudge, and peanut brittle.

Surviving are her children:  Deborah L. Brauning, Harrisburg and Harry G. Brauning, Jr. (and his wife, Lisa), Harrisburg; 6 grandchildren:  Robert Bell III (and his wife, Trisha), Elyse Hammaker (and her husband, Garrett), Douglas Brauning (and his wife, Elana), Megan Hollenbach (and her husband, Joshua), Valerie Page (and her husband, Daniel), and Kristine Pugh (and her husband, Michael); 5 great grandchildren:  Noah Hollenbach, Jace Hollenbach, Morgan DeArmond, Olivia Pugh, and Evelyn Page; one great grandson on the way:  Wyatt Anthony Pugh; her kitty:  Callie; and many other family members, friends and church family, all of whom will miss her dearly.

Services will be held 11:15 am, Thursday, February 16, 2023 in her church with the Rev. Dr. Richard E. Denison, Jr., officiating.  There will be a viewing at the church on Thursday from 10:00 am until 11:00 am.  Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to her church, Paxton United Methodist Church, 3550 N. Progress Avenue, Harrisburg, 17110 or to Homeland at Home, Hospice, 2300 Vartan Way, Suite 270, Harrisburg, 17110.

Kimmel Funeral Home, Harrisburg, is handling arrangements.