April Michelle Braxdale

April “Babygirl” Michelle Braxdale, 45, of Sabetha, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2026, surrounded by loved ones at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kansas.

April was born on September 10, 1980, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Dennis and Wanda (Moore) Braxdale.

April worked as a waitress at Checkers in Fairview, Kansas, provided housekeeping and clerking services at the All-Star Truck Stop in Sabetha, and took orders for patrons at Downtown Coffee Co. in Sabetha. She ultimately fulfilled her goal and dream of becoming an Insurance Assistant with Farm Bureau in Sabetha. When health challenges required her to retire, her clients were deeply saddened by her departure. She took great pride in all her work.

April valued her role as Alyssa’s mother above all else. They shared wonderful times and enjoyed dining out, taking drives, and singing to music together. April also spent quality time with her husband, Jacob Browning, watching movies and true crime shows. April was known for her bright smile, warm demeanor, and ability to connect with everyone she met. Nobody was a stranger.

April loved colorful socks and vibrant flowers. Halloween was her favorite holiday. She loved decorating her home with her mother and often encouraged Jacob and her dad, Shawn, to join in on the fun. In her youth, she enjoyed painting, coloring, water skiing, camping, rafting, motorcycling, and spending time at the lake with her family. She cherished her childhood memories of sharing a cup of coffee with her grandmother, Margaret, who lived across the street. April's favorite color was yellow, and she loved wearing her yellow shirt that featured animals in glasses. She treasured her friendships deeply, and her face would light up whenever she spoke of them.

An avid animal lover, April was devoted to her dog, Rex, who would vocalize and say "momma" whenever she stepped away. She shared a playful love-hate bond with her mom's cat, Elliot, and lovingly remembered her late cat, Jasper.

April was preceded in death by her grandparents and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

April is survived by her husband, Jacob Browning, at their home in Sabetha; her daughter, Alyssa Braxdale of Sabetha; her mother, Wanda (Shawn) Branson of Oneida, Kansas; her father, Dennis (Tina) Braxdale of Wellington, Missouri; her three brothers, Duane (Rusty) Braxdale, Eddie (Kaitlyn) Simsheuser IV, and Mike (Amber) Simsheuser, all of Wellington, Missouri; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gene and Rosemary Deters of Sabetha; her father-in-law, Michael Browning of Stillwater, Oklahoma; her brother-in-law, Eric Browning of Sabetha; her two sisters-in-law, Bryanna and Sasha Browning of Sabetha; her grandfather, Rick Branson of Seneca, Kansas; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

April will lie in state on Sunday, September 6, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Popkess Mortuary in Sabetha.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Fairview Community Center in Fairview, Kansas. Before the service, a visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the community center. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Diabetes Association, sent in care of Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia Street, Sabetha, Kansas 66534.