Dr. Barbara (Barb) J. Braden

Dr. Barbara J. Braden was born on November 7, 1943 in North Platte, NE to Norene and William Braden. She lived on a ranch near Stapleton, NE with her mother, maternal grandparents, and cousins after her father was killed in WWII in 1945. At the age of 7, she moved to Griswold, Iowa along with her mother and step-father (“Dad”) John Duggan, where she grew up with her three siblings (Katherine, Terry, and Dan Duggan).

She graduated from Mount Loretto High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She then attended St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN. She eventually decided on a career in nursing and graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Omaha, NE in 1966. She worked as a Labor/Delivery nurse at St.Joseph's until transitioning to a teaching position. Eventually, she went on to get her BSN from Creighton University in 1973; her M.S.N. from the University of California at San Francisco in 1975; and concluded her education with a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin in 1988.

Dr. Barbara Braden gained an international reputation by improving the quality of life of literally millions of people. She, along with her good friend and colleague, Dr. Nancy Bergstrom, developed a tool to assess the risk for skin breakdown in elderly and bedridden patients, to reduce the pain, suffering and expense associated with patient care. The assessment tool she introduced in 1987 combined ease of use with accuracy in prediction at all levels of healthcare. Its success was immediate and indisputable. Dr. Braden’s pioneering tool – now known the world over as the Braden Scale – has become a key measure of quality care in hospitals and long-term care settings around the world.

After years of being an instructor at the school of nursing, Dr. Braden’s professional career continued at Creighton University in Omaha, NE, as the Dean of the Graduate School (1995-2006) and Dean of the College of Professional Studies (2002-2011). She truly loved and cherished her time at Creighton. She eventually retired in 2011, as she would say: “with a capital R”.

On November 30, 2019, she married the love of her life, Erin Wetzel. As soulmates, they shared a love of animals (particularly shelter animals), social justice, travel, wine, and tennis.

After a courageous battle with a glioblastoma, Barb died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Barb fought her brain cancer diagnosis with persistence. As a medical researcher herself, she hoped that her own trials and treatments could further advance the cure for brain cancer. Throughout her fight, she rarely complained, demonstrating bravery and courage.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Norene J Duggan (Klosen) and William C Braden. She is survived by her spouse Erin Wetzel; Sister Katherine Duggan; Brother Terry (Terri Lou) Duggan; Brother Dan (Donna) Duggan; Nephew Johnny Duggan; Nephew Michael (Stephanie) Duggan; Niece Katie Jo (Trace) Ticknor.

Barb was a beautiful human being. She exemplified love and selflessness. She would come at a moment’s notice to assist anyone, and called everyone “friend”. She had an enormous heart and wonderful, sharp sense of humor, along with an uncanny ability to tell a great story. She would want nothing more than for her stories to live on in the hearts of everyone. Barb rarely missed a gathering and never met a party she didn’t like! She was known by many as the “hostess with the mostest”. She will be truly and deeply missed by everyone.

In lieu of flowers, Please direct any memorials in her honor to these organizations near and dear to her heart:

Nebraska Appleseed 947 O St Suite 401, Lincoln, NE 68508

Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital 17500 Burke Street, Omaha, NE 68118

Creighton University School of Nursing 2500 California Plz, Omaha, NE 68178

Sacred Heart Church 2207 Wirt Street, Omaha, NE 68110

WOCN (Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse) Society 1120 Rt. 73, Suite 200

Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL:  Friday, 10:00 AM at St. John Catholic Church on the Creighton Campus. 

VISITATION begins Thursday, June 29th at 5:00PM at St. John Catholic Church with a WAKE SERVICE at 7:00PM

Interment: Forest Lawn Cemetery

TO VIEW THE SERVICE ONLINE, GO TO:  https://heartstreaming.link/dr-barbara-j-braden

John A. Gentleman Mortuaries and Crematory

1010 N 72 St.

Omaha, NE. 68114

402-391-1664

www.johnagentleman.com